1

a coaching manual with female perspectives, stories and exercises outside the box by DISCOVER 2 3

A DISCOVER FOOTBALL Manual 4 5

Imprint DISCOVER FOOTBALL/Fußball und Begegnung e.V. CONTENT Richardstr. 43, 12055 Berlin - [email protected] www.discoverfootball.de

Editing Esther Franke, Cordula Gdaniec, Sofie Goetze, Carmen Grimm, Johanna Kösters, Dana Rösiger 1 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS 4 MAIN PART Design Valerie Assmann 1.1 Preface by Manuela Schwesig ...... 09 4.1 Elements of a good practice...... 62 Translation and English editing Léa Colson, Sophia Davis, 1.2 Introduction...... 10 4.2 Tools for a good practice...... 64 Friederike Faust, Caitlin Fisher, Cordula Gdaniec, Terril Scott, Chelsea Wright 1.3 Never give up! ...... 14 4.3 Football drills: Pictures Dana Rösiger, Alexa Vachon except for: Bundesregierung/Denzel (p.9), 2 PRE-TRAINING CHAT Warm up...... 68 Brescia Calcio Feminile (p.87, 117), Norwegian School of Sciences (p.117) 2.1 Facts and figures about female football coaches ...... 20 Main part...... 70 Text 2.2 The bigger picture: Scrimmage...... 75 DISCOVER FOOTBALL, Germany Portraits: Marlene Assmann, Cordula Gdaniec, Johanna Kösters, Dana Rösiger Football within societal structures...... 22 Life skills...... 77 Training practice and theory: Sofie Goetze, Carmen Grimm 2.3 Challenges for female coaches...... 24 Team building...... 78 Background and Context: Esther Franke, Cordula Gdaniec, Johanna Kösters Participants of the Conference 2015: Kikelomo Ajayi Nigeria, 2.4 Working with football federations and 4.4 How to deal with heterogeneous teams...... 80 Evelyne Akinyi Ajing Kenya, Khadija Abubaker Omar Al-Bakri Oman, football associations...... 26 4.5 How to deal with conflicts in your team...... 82 Ann Hassan Mohamed Awajna Palestine, Fanoos Basir Afghanistan, Fadwa El-Bahi Libya, Thi Phuong Trinh Hoang Vietnam, Mashal Hussain Pakistan, 3 WARM-UP 4.6 A collection of methods for reflection...... 88 Tatiana Khalil /Lebanon, Disha Malhotra India, 3.1 How to start a team...... 42 5 SCRIMMAGE Mike Joséphine Mimozette Ndoumou Cameroon, Haibata Niampa Burkina Faso, Everlyne Anyango Ochieng Kenya, Juliana Roman Lozano Argentina, 3.2 Maintaining a team...... 44 5.1 How to organize a football tournament...... 104 Seyni Ndir Seck Senegal, Sadia Sheikh Pakistan, Aminata Sissoko Burkina Faso, 3.3 Coaching qualities and styles...... 46 5.2 Football as political activism...... 108 Lebogang Maranda Tlhako , Liezl Windvogel South Africa Further contributors: Milena Bertolini Italy, Suzi Andreis Poland, Kari Fasting Norway 3.4 What does it mean to be a role model?...... 48 5.3 Recommendations to football associations

Conference Organizers 3.5 Coaching mixed teams vs. on how to support female coaches...... 114 Marlene Assmann, Valerie Assmann, Danny Bergmann, Sophia Davis, Caitlin girls/women-only teams...... 50 5.4 Resources and literature...... 128 Fisher, Esther Franke, Claudia Gdaniec, Cordula Gdaniec, Lea Gölnitz, Sofie Goetze, Carmen Grimm, Sonja Klümper, Johanna Kösters, Andrea Linke, Pia Mann, Dana Rösiger 6 7

1 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS 8 1.1 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS | Preface 9

club, however, they go in with full commitment. Clubs benefit from the varied perspectives and views brought by women, quite apart from the fact that for any club that PREFACE needs volunteers, it’s smart to get women on board. In 1. 1 order for the concerns of female members to be taken into account, both women and men must have the same By Manuela Schwesig, opportunities to occupy positions in the places where German Federal Minister of Family Affairs, decisions are made and the club’s pathways are set. This Senior Citizens, Women and Youth is a matter of both wisdom and equality. In Germany we have established gender quotas for companies’ executive boards; I hope this discussion also gives an impulse to do Sport brings people together, and football brings people the same in other fields. There are also enough women together in especially large quantities. Among them are who are able in sport. more and more women, as spectators, club members, coaches, referees, and players. DISCOVER FOOTBALL brings One example is the women involved in organizing the women together in and through football, facilitating DISCOVER FOOTBALL conference, ‘Coach the Coaches’. encounters, and promoting women’s rights: a powerful I would like to thank the Federal Foreign Minister, Dr. network! Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr Thomas de Maizière, for their financial support Women hold much fewer positions in clubs than of the ‘Coach the Coaches’ conference, and I wish those men, as we know from the analysis of recent surveys of at DISCOVER FOOTBALL to carry on enjoying your work volunteers. When they do decide to take on a role in a and to have a successful conference. 10 1.2 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS | Introduction 1.2 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS | Introduction 11

Focusing on female coaches is fighting for an equal share in football. Girls and women not only want to play “In Senegal, we have a saying: football, they want to teach, educate, decide and govern One, who doesn’t travel, football as well. 1.2 INTRODUCTION doesn’t know where it is good. Only 7% of all registered football coaches are women. Meaning, in many organizations, female coaches may DISCOVER FOOTBALL be working alone or within a leadership body otherwise I know that I am in Berlin for comprised of males. So it is of great importance that we support each other: by sharing information and experi- this conference, but at the same ences and by building strong networks, so that we are time I am in Kenya, in South not fighting alone and can be stronger together. “I managed to do what other people didn’t think I was the development of girls in sports and in life. Some girls capable of. It wasn’t expected that I could make it to this and women feel safer when they are trained by women, Africa, in Oman, all the other In December 2015, twenty female coaches from 16 level. My impression was that people around me thought and parents in many parts of the world often prefer when participants’ countries. We are countries put their heads together in Berlin: professional I would just play football for a while. And here I am, a their daughters are instructed by female coaches. coaches and grassroots coaches, experienced coaches professional coach, and I am training other women to learning from each other’s expe- and beginner coaches. This book is the result of one become coach. That’s what I have achieved.” (Joséphine At the same time, female coaches are important role riences and sharing.” intensive week of discussion, exchange and practice. Mimozette Ndoumou Mike, Yaoundé, Cameroon) models for girls and can motivate them to become coaches themselves. Leadership positions as coaches DISCOVER FOOTBALL uses football to promote gender Female football coaches and football coaching are the are tied to social prestige and acknowledgement and (Seyni Ndir Seck) equality, fight discrimination and challenge stereotypes. main subjects of this manual. We believe that it is important female coaches contribute to challenging gender roles We have been able to observe the power of football in to focus on female coaches when talking about equal and making women in sports more visible. our various projects and among our partners from all access and participation in football. Coaches influence over the world. In most parts of the world football is still 12 1.2 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS | Introduction 13

a male sport. Girls and women face discrimination due to female football coaches active in programs and teams their gender and/or sexual orientation, and have to deal around the world. Within these pages, you will find with social prejudice and exclusion. A lot of courageous examples, stories and advice which we hope will help women are fighting for their right to play and claim their you overcome challenges and identify opportunities in place on the pitch, and in doing so, paving the way for your own community. Above all, we hope this manual other girls and women to play in a football environment will tell you that you are not alone, and inspire you to without discrimination. They challenge gender roles get involved and take action. and claim spaces in sports as well as in society, thereby gaining self-confidence, leadership skills and social and You can read this manual chapter by chapter, or simply political agency. flip through. You will find background information on coaches and coaching as well as ideas on how to deal DISCOVER FOOTBALL brings together these women, with common challenges like coaching very heteroge- connects them, facilitates exchange and builds strong neous teams, the lack of money for a team, not having alliances. enough players or dealing with conflicts in your team. You can read stories of coaches from various countries, dig DISCOVER FOOTBALL strives to create better conditions into the drills section, and engage with certain material and higher visibility of women’s football and to strengthen to reflect on your own coaching style. committed players, coaches and outstanding activists. This manual is a collection of experiences and ideas from Claudia R. Moreno Torres, Diseñadora Gráfica UJTL, www.claudiamoreno.co 14 1.3 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS | Never give up! 15

They used to tell me They used They used “you dress and walk like to tell me “women to tell me “you have a man”. I realised they stay at home”. But I too many muscles for feared me because they They used to tell me started playing and a girl”. But I am proud could see my strength. “you are too strong for it changed my life of my powerful a girl . I will always be forever. body. strong to live my life. 1. 3 NEVER GIVE UP!

Juliana Roman Lozano, Seyni Ndir Seck, Fanoos Basir, Trinh Hoang

We are women who are passionate about football. Some because soon someone will come and take our place, of us are players, some of us are coaches. We are women some of us play without any public and for some of us to from around the world. We walk different latitudes, have play must be kept our secret. Some of us play in stadiums different ages and eyes of many colors. We breathe and full of people who know our names and adrenaline runs live in different hemispheres of the earth. Our roots are through our veins, others had to take the field that was all different. Our religions and traditions are different. denied to us for being women and declared it ours by Some of us play in the Tropic of Cancer, others in the right. Some of us even opened the possibility for wom- Equator and some in the Tropic of Capricorn. Some of us en’s football in our territories and our brave feet were play barefoot on dirt courts under the sun that embraces the first to kick the ball through these lands. For many us, others play in stadiums with gloves and hats because the help of their local federation is a utopia, for others the sun is not yet to come for many months, some of us the support and care of the federation is growing, and can play with no pressure while the others wait for their to only very few of us support is real and we are treated turn, some of us must seize the right moment to play like the athletes that we are. 16 1.3 BEFORE PRACTICE BEGINS | Never give up! 17

We are different and unique, we are courageous and All the tough fields we will walk together and the triumphs For many of us there is still a long way to go, some of us powerful women and football unites us in our infinite will be of all. When we pass the ball to our teammates, are half way and others are closer to a possible goal. The diversity. Difficulties unite us across cities, mountains, when we build a collective movement on the field, when road is not easy but be sure we walk and will continue jungles, deserts, dirt roads and asphalt, synthetic and we celebrate from the line the success of our strategy, walking, all on different surfaces, knocking different artificial grass. We are united before the history that as we encourage more and more girls to come to the doors. Some doors will open easier than others but we is determined to decide for us and to build models to field, when we lift the trophy that can be gold or the will continue to advance. be followed where a girl with football shoes and a ball conquered right to play, we are building unbreakable under her foot still doesn’t quite fit; a model in which bonds of fellowship, friendship, trust and self-esteem. We all know of difficulties and closed doors but we also a woman with a whistle and a board teaching about know about teamwork and happiness. The game has football has not an easy road. We unite before a model Given this joint construction, we are above all united by shown us that all we build together is more beautiful; in which a woman who knows and owns football will happiness! The joy that gives us the feeling of belonging, it’s easier, more pleasant, more powerful!! always be tested. the joy of building together, to be happy on the field and in life. We stand together and say to all the girls and women of Given the various difficulties that we face, we stand by the world: Never give up. Keep kicking forward and hold the certainty of the collective aspect of football. That We are women who are passionate about football. Some hands. Feel proud to be part of this great sisterhood of beautiful sisterhood in which we join necessarily when of us are players, some of us are coaches. We are women powerful women that decided to choose and will always we play and when we prepare the game. We stand by from around the world. We chose football because it continue choosing happiness, passion, courage and the the power of the collective fact that never leaves us by makes us happy, it makes us feel the freedom of the great joy that surrounds football! ourselves because we are and we play as a team. We wind in our face when we run on the field, when we put our bodies in the game, we run, fall and rise again, celebrate our teams’ effort. We chose football because and all our personal effort makes sense for and with the it is our source of joy! effort of all. 18 19

2 PRE- TRAINING CHAT 20 2.1 PRE- TRAINING CHAT | Facts and figures about female football coaches 2.1 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Facts and figures about female football coaches 21

When comparing the different football confederations is also a lack of qualified staff. Only 65 women hold a we can see that the share of female coaches is higher UEFA Pro Licence compared to 9,387 men.5 in CONCACAF (especially because of the Football Fed- FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT erations in Canada and the US) and OFC, whereas UEFA There are different initiatives comprised of female players 2.1 FEMALE FOOTBALL COACHES and CONMEBOL have the lowest proportion of female and officials that are working to persuade FIFA, regional coaches compared to male coaches:2 and national federations to do something about the low number of female coaches. As a first step, and as one DISCOVER FOOTBALL reaction to the fact that during the World Cup in Canada 2015 only eight of 24 national teams competing were led by female head coaches, FIFA agreed to set a quota FIFA for the U-17 national women’s teams. At least one of the 7% female coaches coaches and one of the medics have to be female. This We claim that female coaches are of special importance for coaches that hold a C to Pro license issued by their 100% 80% new rule will be applied for the first time during the U-17 because they can be particular role models for female football federation or the football confederations.1 60% 40% World Cup in Jordan in autumn 2016. football players. It is important to take a look at the 20% 0% amount of female coaches, their coaching-level and the The total number of licensed female coaches in 2014 AFC CAF CONCACAF CONMEBOL OFC UEFA way they are treated within the football world. Before was 832.262. That is a share of 7% of the total 11.889.457 8% 7% 20% 3% 17% 4% female female female female female female we talk about specific challenges for female coaches and licensed coaches worldwide.2 coaches coaches coaches coaches coaches coaches about concrete steps forward, we want to start off with a 1 There are 6 continental federations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North America), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), UEFA (Europe) quick glance at the overall situation. How many female Standing in contrast to this, the share of registered For European football, 80% of coaching jobs in women’s 2 FIFA 2014: Women’s Football Survey 2014. resources..com/mm/document/footballdevel- football coaches are there compared to male coaches female players out of all registered players, was higher. football are held by men.4 Another question is what level opment/women/02/52/26/49/womensfootballsurvey2014_e_english.pdf 3 and in relation to female players? In 2006, it was 10,7% and the share of all female players 3 FIFA big count 2006: in: FIFA Magazine July 2007 of coaching licence the few female coaches hold. With fifa.com/worldfootball/bigcount/index.html (including schools and ) was 9,8%; that is 4 UEFA 2015: Women’s Football across the national associations. 97% of European coaching licences held by men, there Numbers are only available for licensed coaches– that is 26 Million out of 265 Million total players. www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Women/General/02/03/27/84/2032784_DOWNLOAD.pdf 5 www.bbc.com/sport/football/33323102 Women’s World Cup: Why are there so few female coaches? By Alistair Magowan BBC Sport in Edmonton, 30.6.2015 22 2.2 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | The bigger picture: Football within societal structures 23

Thus it underscores the constructed division between ‘private’ and ‘public’ that disadvantages women in the labor market and burdens them with a disproportionate THE BIGGER PICTURE: share of unpaid work. 2.2 FOOTBALL WITHIN SOCIETAL STRUCTURES In spite of growing success and popularity of women’s football, female players and coaches today are still DISCOVER FOOTBALL entering a field that is constructed as ‘men only’. This is why women’s football is more than just the sport – it is a broader social and political issue. When discussing the problems women are facing in the world of football, we have to look at the bigger picture. Women’s roles and rights within their respective societies or communities When talking about football, most people think of the long time was closed off to them. It is a world that has need to be taken into consideration when addressing men’s game. Why are there so few women in leadership always been considered as masculine and its discourse women’s access to resources and positions in football. positions within football? Why is it necessary to create has been dominated by characteristics regarded as Female coaches are facing particularly difficult or man- a special category for women’s football? specifically male. By entering this arena, by claiming the ifold challenges as they are striving towards leadership football pitch, women are challenging a well-established positions. But once they reach these, they are in a unique The fact that women are having a hard time in the social order all over the world. This order allocates very position to question existing hierarchies and challenge world of football is embedded in deep-seated societal specific roles and tasks to women and also defines their these orders – both in the sport and in society. structures and cultural beliefs nearly all over the world. appearance, behavior and activities in a limiting and Football can be regarded as a mirror image of society, prescriptive fashion. The situation within football reflects in so far as women are entering an arena that for a and reproduces a hierarchy found in society in general. 24 2.3 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Challenges for female coaches 25

Media is not inter- In some countries, It is hard to find a pitch to play on ested in Women’s Having a professional there is no regular Football career as a coach in league for women Women’s Football is The society has special difficult ideas about what girls and Women’s women should do and CHALLENGES FOR FEMALE COACHES Football does should not do 2.3 not have a lot of supporters DISCOVER FOOTBALL It is hard to find material for practice

It is difficult to get a good formation as a coach Female football coaches face many and varied challenges. In addition to the demanding tasks every coach has to They have to overcome barriers familiar to most women take on, female football coaches deal with compounding who aspire to leadership positions in business, politics challenges as they are often pushed to the margins of the Parents are hesitating or society - only that football mostly is even more of a male-dominated game. This is aggravated by a lack of The federation is only interested in the national to let their ‘male preserve’.6 Due to the rigid gender norms within resources and a lack of recognition of women’s football team and does not support grassroots football Girls and Women daughters football, women almost exclusively coach children or as such. The drawing illustrates the manifold challenges play The number of have to stop playing youth teams, and, of course, women’s teams - even faced by women when they decide to become a coach, Male Don’t invest in Corruption female football because of house- there, they are the minority amongst their numerous prepare a practice, or try to work with their football dominated Women’s Football players is low hold tasks male counterparts. federation.

6 Dunning, Eric (1994): Sport as a Male Preserve: Notes on the Social Sources of masculine Iden tity and its Transformations. In: Susan Birrell/Cheryl L. Cole (eds.): Women, sport, and culture. Champaign, 163-178. 26 2.4 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Working with football federations and football associations 2.4 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Working with football federations and football associations 27

The problem starts here: There are a lot of football asso- So what are the best ways of dealing with this challenge? ciations worldwide that show no interest in women’s We have interviewed several individuals that are pro- football. Often, existing women’s funding is not increased, moting women’s football and highlight very different WORKING WITH FOOTBALL FEDERATIONS and/or is only provided to cover the travel for a national strategies. 2.4 AND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS team as part of an image campaign for the federations. Even worse, sometimes there are football associations STRATEGY NO 1 that invest the women’s funding directly into men’s Just continue without the federations. DISCOVER FOOTBALL football. FIFA does not monitor this. Of course you can coach, organize friendly matches, and Another important fact is that most of the prominent initiate educational campaigns without the federations. positions in football associations are held by men. That It is not forbidden to organize events independently - if being said, of course it is true that not all women are you’ve experienced a lack in support otherwise. Instead interested in women’s football and not all men are not, you can partner with schools, NGOs, women’s rights or but it certainly would help if more women with a foot- LGBTIQ groups or other political activists. The Female ball background would enter the football associations. Football Festival ‘Our Game, Our Goals’ in Lebanon 2015 Women who work actively to promote and develop Moreover there are several FIFA-run programs to develop The resulting cultural shift would help to push women’s was organized completely without the Lebanese Football women’s football and are - or want to become - certified women’s football that one can only apply for through football and female representation in the sport. Increasing Federation and gathered six female football teams from coaches, sooner or later will have to deal with their national the football associations. For example: diversity on boards has also shown to help fight global Arab countries and more than 100 girls from Lebanon or regional football association. Football federations are in problems such as corruption. for one week. charge of all matters concerning organized football, such Share of FAP-resources [Financial Assistance Program] as the national teams, the leagues, and official licensing * reserved for women’s football programs. For coaches, they are particularly important Coaching programs for female coaches as they qualify coaches, issue coaching-licences, and are * Short-term coaching programs led by experienced also relevant sponsoring partners. * international coaches 28 2.4 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Working with football federations and football associations 29

If you do opt for talking with the federations, here is These are less confrontational strategies; they are prag- another strategy: matic suggestions intended to gradually improve the situation for women’s football. As a counterpoint, others STRATEGY NO 2 may ask, “So why not ask for half of the cake?” Convince men in the football federations that women’s football is not threatening them. STRATEGY 3 Demand equal rights. Monika Staab, an international FIFA-coach, regularly works with football federations to improve their performance When framing your demand for better opportunities for for women’s football. In her experience the following women’s football as a rights issue, aside from referring arguments are especially useful for making the case for to national law on gender equality you can consult women’s football. international treaties that guarantee women’s rights and anti-discrimination. Article 10 of CEDAW (Convention on Calm their fears by letting them know: “Women and the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against * girls don’t want a lot, they just want to play. Let them Women) states that women should be ensured “equal play, they just want to have a piece of the football-cake, rights with men in the field of education” and that they a very small piece.” are entitled to “the same opportunities to participate Let them know that not supporting women’s football actively in sports and physical education” (Art. 10 g). * will be a very isolated position in the near future. “All In Article 13 c the “right to participate in recreational the other federations are supporting women’s football.” activities, sports and all aspects of cultural life” is guar- Disprove that more commitment for women’s football anteed. Up until now the CEDAW-Convention has been * will lead to higher costs for the federations. In women’s signed by 189 state parties.7 (You can check when your football, the same amount of money can have a bigger government has ratified the convention and if it has impact. National coaches are less expensive, for example. declared any reservations.)

7 https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-8&chapter=4&lang=en 30 2.4 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Working with football federations and football associations 2.4 PRE-TRAINING CHAT | Working with football federations and football associations 31

In addition to international human rights law, you will What if you yourself opt for a career in the football asso- STRATEGY NO. 6 find non-discrimination rules and voluntary commitments ciation and change the whole organization from within, Tackle corruption in your football federation. for the support of women’s football in the statutes of once you are there? various national and international football federations. It As a first step, try to find out if your federation publishes What does my national football association do for women’s can be useful to refer to these when making your claims. STRATEGY NO. 5 * information on income and on expenditures and invest- football? Did I inform them about my activities? Chose a career in a football association and change ments on women’s football. If you don’t find anything, If the federation does not care at all about women’s football, Perhaps in your football association there is this one the game from within. * first ask about it and in a next step address the lack of can I prove it? Did I document or archive their rejections? person really interested in women’s football who you transparency. You can also try to complain to FIFA about What would be the benefit for me and my team of working can rely on... Of course this is easier said than done. There are many * FAP-money dedicated to women’s football not reaching hand-in-hand with the federation? cases where positions in federations are not filled accord- women’s football at all. According to the reform process, STRATEGY NO. 4 ing to commitment, competencies and experience of FIFA has committed itself to more transparency.8 This also Search for allies in your association. candidates. Instead, unfortunately often it is connections includes its commitment to ask for more transparency to those who are powerful and influential, knowing the from its members. Or, you can engage with the media and You can try to find allies in your football association who right people, being from a wealthy family or well off that try to gain public awareness and support for your matter. are willing to work as representatives or liasons. On one end up being determining factors. But this should not hand, they may voice your demands and suggestions discourage you, keep on trying! If none of the above-mentioned strategies are success- in the working groups of the association. On the other ful, well then maybe we have to be even more radical. hand, these allies can provide you with information about If you don’t see any chance of dealing with your football Let’s talk again about independent women’s football what is doing and planning and association but at the same time you don’t want to let federations... or why not take up the idea of a Women’s whether there could be links to the work you are doing. them off the hook, you can decide to attack the feder- Football-FIFA? There could be opportunities for cooperation. ation and go public on how little they do for women’s football. If it exists, you can even try to expose corruption in your association.

8 http://issuu.com/transparencyinternational/docs/2015_footballgovernanceleagueta- ble_?e=2496456/31444500 32 PORTRAIT | Juliana Roman Lozano 33

I am 31 years old. I was born in Colombia, but I’ve been NGO that was born with the intention to promote occupy public space for something we love to do. It’s a living and working in Argentina for 12 years now. I am women’s football in impoverished neighborhoods of political decision to dedicate ourselves to play football an anthropologist, and I was a professional football Buenos Aires. Its main goal is to use women’s football and create places of belonging for women and girls in player until some years ago. I played in several teams as a tool to empower women and work towards gender public spaces. For me, it’s the beginning only. Sports in Argentina and in the U-19 Colombian national team! equity and to fight violence against women. Our pitch should take more space on each feminist agenda. Sports Because of a bad knee injury I was driven away from is a safe place for all women, and all our multiple ways should not be taken for granted. In this collective way playing football. Luckily I recovered and was able to of being in the world. of building and walking together through football, we play again but not professionally. I play football because stand as political agents with the profound conviction it’s my revolution: not only does it make me happy and I have been coaching young adults, teens, girls and boys that we can transform our realities and make the pitch complete, but it’s also my weapon to contribute my grain for three years now. The beginning was tough in every welcoming for all, no matter where you come from, how of sand to the struggle for equity. When I play football, aspect. In Argentina playing the highest AFA league of you identify yourself, who you love and how you choose I feel alive and free. women’s football we were forced to play in used men’s to live your life. Throughout the years kicking the ball, uniforms. Our pitches were unlit. All times for practicing I have learned that to be a woman and play football Today I’m a professional football coach. I graduated from were reserved for men. With La Nuestra Fútbol Femenino and to claim a place of equity in the world is a political a class of 86 students where I was the only woman. It was at the beginning we had to literally claim the pitch. We statement. This is what I choose, and this is why football very challenging. But it was amazing to learn so much were not allowed to use the space. Once some boys completes me and makes me happy! and to open some of those minds that were not very threw stones and sticks at us. One girl got injured, and For everyone, everything. welcoming to the idea of a female coach. Especially in we had to leave the pitch but the next day we came this country where football and masculinity can almost back and stood our ground. We always came back and If not, claim it. be used as synonyms! this way men understood that this was also our right and their resistance shrank: we had claimed the pitch for Juliana Roman Lozano Together with other female coaches and former profes- us as well. Today we are practicing three times a week sional football players we founded La Nuestra Fútbol for two hours and on weekends we play a tournament. Buenos Aires, Argentina, La Nuestra Fútbol Femenino Femenino in 2012. La Nuestra Fútbol Femenino is an Together we claimed our right to play and the right to 34 PORTRAIT | Josephine Ndoumou Mike 35

I am a football coach. I became a coach because I have to love what you do, you need to be passionate. If you been playing football ever since I was little. As I was get- want to encourage others, you have to be passionate ting older and when I stopped playing, I said to myself: and you have to love other people and love to teach. What I wasn’t able to do at the time I can now help others In Cameroon it is not easy to be a female coach. This is achieve. I started taking all the necessary courses, did my personal challenge and achievement at the same internships and eventually became a coach. I did a lot time – I managed to do what other people didn’t think of my training abroad – in Togo, Tanzania, Benin, but I I was capable of. It wasn’t expected that I could make Live your passion! returned to Cameroon to work as a coach. it to this level. My impression was that people around me thought I would just play football for a while. And I love being a coach. I love this job because you share here I am, a professional coach, and I am training other Josephine Ndoumou Mike emotions – joy as well as pain. And you develop as a women to become coaches. That’s the challenge that I Yaoundé, Cameroon person. You fail, you pick yourself up again and you have overcome. continue to fight. In order to become a coach, you need 36 PORTRAIT | Liezl Windvogel 37 For the love of the game! I’m a personal trainer and football coach. I coach kids Coming from a big family, we have a lot of little girls who want to make an impact and drive change, and especially from two years old up to about six to seven years old. I look up to me and see me as a role model even though when you know people are interested in football, you took a big risk, a big leap of faith, a big plunge and quit many miles separate us. Those little things make me feel should start engaging when they are young. I always had my job in a corporate world and am doing what I love like I want to do more for kids, and I want to do more for the idea not just to teach someone football, I wanted to now. I would love to encourage other people to also young women especially. I never forget my roots, and I provide a bigger picture. And football is THE great tool follow their passion. I hope to help to make a change. I always look at what I want to do as motivation, because to empower people, it unites nations, and it is one thing can’t exactly remember when I started playing football. I it’s me fighting the fight for the little and young ones that many people talk about. Being a coach means for love the DISCOVER FOOTBALL T-Shirt that says “I started who can’t do that. me having a lot of responsibility, and I never thought I’m kicking in my mother’s stomach.” I would love to believe a person who would take so much responsibility. People that was my trigger. But I probably was three or four years Being a coach does not provide me an assured income, and, in my case, kids are looking up to me, seeing me as old when I played street football with the boys from the yet I do see this path - my path - as a career. I want to a woman with authority and expect guidance and are neighborhood. help driving change in my community and beyond. A thirsty for knowledge. I’m fighting for equal participation lot of kids in our communities don’t have opportunities. and recognition for these kids. It starts with grassroots Football helped me develop into the woman I am today. They don’t have chances since our economic and political football. Women shouldn’t be scared to stand up, they It has made me a stronger, more confident person. For environment is very difficult. At the top of the chain, we should fight and voice their opinions. When one woman me, football is a ; we work together to a are dealing with different types of violence and corrup- gets to a recognized position, we should encourage each common goal. We learn from each other, and we can tion. Through my years exchanging with others, playing other, motivate others to do the same and slowly pave give to each other. It’s a give and take, and there aren’t and teaching football I realized that many people don’t the way for other females. We should be free to express and shouldn’t be losers. The team with the least goals necessarily know a lot of things related to football, just ourselves without judgment and discrimination. And might not be the ‘winner’ according to the rules, but at because they are adults. Even if you teach grown-ups, you that’s exactly what I want to do, what I want to share. Liezl Windvogel the end, there is always a lesson or feedback to take from have an expectation that they should know the basics, And maybe one day a young woman turns to me and it. The experience I made is what I want to share with but you should never judge anyone. The development says: Liezl, thank you for helping me to become the Johannesburg, South Africa, Premier Skills other people and motivate them to pursue a similar path. can still be in a very early stage, the baby stage. So if you woman I am today. 38 PORTRAIT | Khadija Al-Bakri 39

My dream, my right - let’s make it happen I never played football when I was young. I thought Some don’t even know that females play football and that girls don’t play football. But I was always a big fan compete internationally. Besides that they are still not of football and followed matches and news until 2009. very into any kind of sport and prefer to stay at home or And then I thought: ok, let’s turn my passion for football go to shopping malls in their free time. Therefore it’s a as a fan into a coaching career. I took coaching courses big challenge to build a coaching routine if some days and gained experience in different clubs. Having a full- 40 girls attend the training, another day only 10 do. It’s time job as a professional coach is not possible as we very challenging for the coaches to broaden their skill don’t have any female football clubs or teams to coach. sets with these external preconditions. And not to forget Therefore coaching football for me is a volunteer job. of course with all the cultural barriers and the religious Khadija Al-Bakri restrictions, some families are not very open for the girls Muscat, Oman In 2013 I started as a part-time football coach with a to play football, especially, if it’s played in an open area. program called Football Net. It was the first football My aim is that girls should know that football is for every- program for girls in Oman. The program is funded by one. I don’t only want to be their coach, and I want to FC Barcelona and Shell International. At the beginning share with them my passion for football. Although we of each season they provide us with coaching seminars still don’t have a female football team or any club that and practical coaching classes. supports female football in Oman. But I will not give up trying to do what I really want and love doing. Where Coaching in a society where female football is not there’s love and passion, I don’t think you can go wrong, accepted is very challenging. Unfortunately, to date, a lot and I want to share this with our female society. of girls still don’t know anything about female football. 40 41

3 WARM UP 42 3.1 WARM UP | How to start a team 3.1 WARM UP | How to start a team 43

They don’t even need to be football players themselves, that the girls or women can easily access it and feel safe 3. COMPETITION AND OFFICIAL but women who feel strongly about the promotion of there, considering the quality of the ground, as well as REGISTRATION their peers. This group can thus include your own family public exposure. HOW TO START members, your teacher or a local entrepreneur. Collect the necessary football and didactic material Decide what affiliation will serve your team best and * * A TEAM Put out a call for women / people to cover all necessary – balls, cones, nets, football shirts and shoes, bibs, and research which steps are necessary to register your team 3.1 * positions within and around a football team – players, whatever helps you as a coach delivering a varied practice. as member of the local / regional football federation, coaches, fitness trainers, doctors, and physiotherapists. Enjoy this stage of your creation as there are no limits football league or other network. If you don’t want to Aminata Sissoko, Haibata Niampa, This means: Welcome everyone who wants to be invested to your creativity! If you can’t find cones, buy or collect compete in the league, it will still be useful to inform DISCOVER FOOTBALL in your idea - whatever their skillset or interest might be! plastic plates from the girls’ homes - and if you can’t the football and town authorities about your activities. Opening a dialogue with your environment! afford your own footballs, try to find someone who Figure out what type of competition best suits your * * Finding people to join and support you opens the task shares theirs with you. The only important thing again team. In many cases, especially in the early days of a to also create awareness around girls and women in is to watch the safety, as well as the equal distribution of team, it is not encouraging to immediately compete at Starting a team begins with passion and requires dedica- football in a broader context - get the elders, the parents the material. It is, for example, more dangerous if some certain levels. Find out which kind of competition moti- tion. But it also takes several concrete steps and elements and authorities on your side by providing appropriate girls are well-equipped and others are not, than when vates the team through organizing friendly matches with to create and register a team. Our network proves that argumentation on the benefits of sports for girls! everyone uses similar type footwear. other teams like yours. And don’t forget: They are not it is almost always and everywhere possible to start a Research institutional or other sources of finance – * your enemies, they are probably in the same situation team from scratch. This list might help you overcome write applications for funding (e.g. Ministry of Sports or and potential partners when we need a coach-to-coach some of your initial fears: Education, local NGOs), engage in other forms of fund- counseling. 2. MATERIAL AND FINANCIAL raising (e.g. balls from a local sports shop, shirts payed RESOURCES by a big local company). It is always helpful to ask for 1. PEOPLE support in really focused ways, meaning that you could Find a suitable playing field. * for example approach a pharmacy for medical support Set up a core group of women passionate about foot- This doesn’t need to be the stadium. It can be a local * and a local shop for free water. ball – the organizers. field, a backyard or a parking lot. What’s important is 44 3.2 WARM UP | Maintaining a team 3.2 WARM UP | Maintaining a team 45

5. Women Empowerment: There should be a sense of 8. Support: A team is like your family and support is belonging in the environment. The team players should something every family member looks for. Be supportive know that this is their club or academy in which they will of all players equally giving equal opportunity to all. get an opportunity to participate and there are people to 3.2 MAINTAINING A TEAM look after them and care for them, not [only] as players 9. Share stories and ideas: Before starting the sessions ask but as humans too. Where they can speak their heart players about their day or anything they want to share. out, with a sense of belonging and love at every step. Before doing something new, get ideas from the senior Sadia Sheikh players. For example, senior players can help organize 6. Economic Empowerment: In our society, girls coming junior tournaments and juniors can help in cheerleading to play are usually from poor backgrounds who have the senior competitions. dreams to make it big and earn for themselves and provide for their families. To provide them with a good In short, we can have a long-term team if the players have Maintaining a long term team in Pakistan is difficult ence especially where girl players are participating on job is another way to motivate other girls to come and a sense of belonging in the environment where they are because of the socio-economic environment but these a competitive stage. Small workshops, activities and play; our club has been doing this for the last ten years. playing or developing towards the competitive stage. points can help us with this subject as my team is not competitions including parents and children are great merely players but my family: motivation. 7. Personal Development and Leadership: Some girls attending don’t know about personal hygiene or self- 1. Catch them when young: The younger they are, 3. Collect like-minded people to work or help you in your care. Aside from teaching them football, support them the easier they will be moulded into a team. They will task. Make a community with the same sense and passion so that they know how to carry themselves in the society understand each other better and will follow the club you have, as you cannot do everything on your own. as future leaders and role models. rules. They will feel attached to the club. 4. Safety: Create an environment where the players and 2. Involve the Parents: Parents are the most important their families feel at ease to send their girl child, and if influence so their involvement can make a lot of differ- they have female coaches coaching them, that’s the best. 46 3.3 WARM UP | Coaching qualities and styles 3.3 WARM UP | Coaching qualities and styles 47

the individual and the collective game over others. This At this point, being a coach is a demanding task as it situation where a single person often coaches several so-called ‘philosophy’ should not be subject to public should always meet the expectations of both the players teams at the same time (on a voluntary basis!). In these judgement in itself but should be reflected upon and and the coach. This also means continuously working on cases, it is important to focus on your personal energy COACHING QUALITIES critically reviewed by the coach herself. your flexibility as a coach by, for example, considering the resources in order to keep on being a source of energy 3.3 AND STYLES players’ abilities and wishes instead of using presumptions for the players. For a better understanding of the team However, there are some qualities that provide the basis to choose the appropriate tactics for a team. Collective and the coaching, in most cases it will be preferable to upon which individual coaching philosophies can be brainstormings with several coaches’ groups about their team up with another coach and encourage other women DISCOVER FOOTBALL built. A good coach combines two main skill sets: Firstly, main qualities have brought to light the following ideas to become coaches as well! A division of labor can lead she is knowledgeable in the game, which means that that can help you reflect on the personal work: everyone to being a more energetic and reflective coach. she can plan a useful action and provide its proper and In times of crises, it helps to take some downtime to clear demonstration or explanation. Secondly, she is not Creating equality and acceptance within the team; reflect on your personal experiences. Important aspects * afraid of taking the responsibility that comes with the Being a motivator and a parent figure; that can show and improve our motivation are: * time spent with a team and has strong social and educa- Being patient and controlled and fair; What’s the most important coaching quality in your eyes? * tional qualities that even go beyond the training ground. Being open-minded, open-hearted and a good listener; Interpersonal encounters with the players; What do/did you expect from your own coach as a player? * * Being fun, up to date and spontaneous; Individual growth of both coaches and players on a * * The more coaches we become, the more coaching styles The question of how to put these two sides into practice Being mentally and physically prepared and organized. technical as well as social level; * exist - and that is a good thing! It means a growth in should also follow a few main rules of communication Varied and new training methods (that’s fun for all!); * numbers of female coaches and a growth in options that ensure the joy and self-confidence for girls and Reflecting and sharing our own experiences as players; BEING THE PLUS * and dreams for young girls. women in and through the game. Therefore, some of you Learning something about yourself; * might prefer a player-coach relation on eye-level, while Increasing visibility of women; This quick glance at the qualities has shown how over- * As coaches, you probably know how precious your coach- others believe in a more authoritative distance between Being part of a female football community. whelming coaching sometimes can be, especially in ing notes are to you - one of the many forms of proof of players and coaches. Whichever you might prefer, you * women’s football where the lack of female coaches how very personal coaching is. Each coach has her own should opt for your most authentic version of yourself as well as lack of monetary investments have led to a ways of coaching, emphasizing particular features of (see: role model). 48 3.4 WARM UP | What does it mean to be a role model? 3.4 WARM UP | What does it mean to be a role model? 49

translate the theory into practice but never forget to the girls’ needs without judging and be ready to take dream. They believe in the future of their teams, and in action in ways positively biased for the girls. What we’ve the future of every single player. This is where we come learned here is that it is highly important to be realistic of across the importance of treating everyone with an equal what expectations you can meet alone, and when to get 3.4 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A ROLE MODEL? amount of respect. This doesn’t mean that role models support by third parties, e.g. advice centers, community don’t have and articulate their opinions. In contrast, in leaders, other parents. Some girls might approach us order to be a fair coach and intermediary, we have to with really sensitive issues and while we are not always DISCOVER FOOTBALL know ourselves well and reveal our very personal strong the best persons in charge, we might be the best ones and weak traits. Only by being authentic, we allow others to start the process. As role models, we are not afraid of to fully relate to us, meaning also to learn from us. By responsibility and exposure. embracing ourselves, and thus allowing the players to How do you act on and off the pitch? Do you feel others can in the DISCOVER FOOTBALL network have been highly start an individual reflection process, we also have to be relate to you? Switch roles: Who are your role models and interested in this question, all knowing that being a able to deal with advice and criticism. By including the BEING A ROLE MODEL? what can you learn from them? role model does not only equal being knowledgeable players’ ideas, we won’t appear weak, but solely respectful in football. and approachable. The question of role models has become one of the * Don’t be afraid of who you are on and off the pitch - embrace prevalent questions in female coaching - on a structural yourself! While it means much more than that, it is also something Another question about being a role model is in what as well as on an individual level. Especially in women’s Don’t get stressed out about it! Being a role model is almost most of us already are - taking into consideration that fields we are considered such. Being a coach leads to all * football, the growing presence of women in leadership never anything someone would call you directly! So you are most of us have started our own teams, hosted tourna- different kind of roles we are asked to perform, such as the positions has been linked to a discourse around quotas probably one without knowing! ments and inspired groups of girls to play. Role model is footballing idol, the team leader, the positive speaker, the and the importance of peer-leaders with whom girls and Don’t consider criticism as something bad - but as a sign of neither a title that we are given nor a name that we give mediator, the private person, or the personal counselor. * women in the game can identify. Being a role model is respect in mutual development! ourselves. It is mostly something subtly reflected through Especially for teenagers, their teams often represent the more than just a title. It is about who you are and the Be a dreamer - and hands-on! what others learn from us and how we can inspire them. only spaces to feel comfortable in times of dispute in * actions you take. Throughout the last years, the coaches Therefore, role models are often quite ‘hands-on’– they school or at home. Therefore it is important to listen to 50 3.5 WARM UP | Coaching mixed teams vs. girls/women-only teams 51

MIXED TEAMS GIRLS/WOMEN-ONLY TEAMS COACHING MIXED Everyone can participate regardless if one is a boy or a Girls get equal opportunities like boys by being given TEAMS VS. GIRLS/ girl or if one doesn’t identify as either male or female. an exclusive space to play on their own, a right or habit 3.5 WOMEN-ONLY TEAMS Mostly, teams try to create a balance amongst the that is usually given to boys/men. gender-identities of the players. The teams provide a safe space for girls and women KHADIJA AL-BAKRI, EVELYNE AJING, Mixed teams can contribute to an encounter on eye- where they feel encouraged and inspired by peers LIEZL WINDVOGEL AND DISCOVER level, a platform on which boys and girls can meet as without a pressure of inter-gender comparison. FOOTBALL equals. It thus can be easier to understand each other’s needs Stereotypes of boys always playing better than girls and experiences and to talk about difficult and gen- could be reduced. By being open to identifications der-related issues in a women-only space. other than male and female, this can lead a way out of this strict binary that is usually prevalent in sports. Women-only teams are allowed to play in the federal Playing with boys can be an advantage for the devel- championships whereas mixed teams are not. Espe- As coaches, you might be decided on whether or not you opment of girls, as sometimes boys and men have cially for girls who aspire to become professionals, it prefer to train girls and boys, men and women, mixed more experiences in playing. is important to introduce them to the team context at or separately. This decision is often based on personal an early stage and grow together. experiences or little exposure to the one or the other At times gender hierarchies and comparisons can concept. Comparing the two different approaches, we influence the group and disadvantage the girls as put together a pointed list that can be used as source they might step down. Also the particular ‘girls-rules’, of inspiration and be added to! if there are, might essentialize gender stereotypes. Football52 is a means of social cohesion PORTRAIT | Haïbata Niampa 53

I work as a teacher of French and History-Geography but become a coach and to give other girls the opportunity spend all my free time as coach with the FC Princesses to live their dream. In fact, football is and remains a of Burkina Faso. I have a C-Licence, CAF and B-Licence means of social cohesion, of mixing cultures and sharing of the Fédération Burkinabé de Football (FBF), and I am experiences. It is also a tool for the struggle against and now also a member of the Football Youth League of the for raising awareness of various social problems. Since FBF. Together with other colleagues I train the seniors I’m a teacher, football is an excellent vehicle for educa- team of the Princesses. tion. I am interested in developing women’s football because it means developing women in the sense that When I was little I started playing football with the football becomes a frame of expression of our freedom. boys in my neighborhood. When I went to college, my I am interested in promoting girls through football and father signed me up with the Amazones team who were through sports generally. Because these girls and these practicing on the school grounds. But the Amazones women who practice football become aware that they were a small team. In 2000, I joined Les Princesses in have the right to flourish, to do what they love, to fight Ouagadougou, who were the best team in Burkina Faso for better conditions and to change how others look at and who were playing a lot of competitions nationally them. Football is also a real tool for awareness about and internationally. I have stayed loyal to this team as a homophobia, racism, segregation, etc. player as well as a coach now. I’ve gained everything with and through them, and they will always stay in my heart. There is this English saying that I like very much: Never give up! Because there are girls who will play for a while, I’m passionate about football. When my active career with but then they resign because they are disappointed, they Haïbata Niampa Les Princesses came to an end, I asked myself how I could get discouraged. I tell them not to give up, ever – carry on! stay connected with football. For me, the answer was to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Les Princesses 54 PORTRAIT | Tatiana Khalil 55

I am new to coaching. I started six months ago. I work with realized very soon that it was different there. In Lebanon I girls in Egypt. My aim is to show those girls that they are experienced strong boundaries: we were told how, when able to do it, although they grew up in a country where and where to play and we had to dress in a specific way. it is difficult. I started playing football very late and all Now I am committed to use my French experience all my the girls I am coaching are starting very late, too. I want life and transmit it to countries like Lebanon and Egypt. to let them know and show them that although we as women could not grow up with football like boys starting Being a coach is learning and teaching football; that is It’s never too late! from five or six, we can still reach our goals. the main task. But coaching is also about educating the child. I like coaching girls because it is also educating the I am a French-Lebanese player. I grew up in France, and girls to become women. And strong women. I think this Tatiana Khalil I am very lucky to have lived in a privileged country is especially important in Arab countries. Cairo, Egypt, Wadi Degla where women were not forbidden to play. However, my parents didn’t let me play when I was a little girl and I When you coach, first you have to be proud of who you had to fight for it. I actually really started to play when I are. Because you transmit to those girls, “look, if you want was around 16. I moved to a bigger city, and I started to to be like me, just look at me and listen to me and you play football in a 100% girls’ and women’s football club. will see.” So you have to be an example for them, and Seeing this project made me wish there were places you have to be a good example. like this everywhere. Places that dedicate themselves only to women’s football in a safe environment where no one criticizes you. Later I also played in Lebanon and 56 PORTRAIT | Disha Malhotra 57

I started playing football with the boys in my 8th grade. ing Foot and Ball, my football academy, I realized that I women participation increases. Coaching can also be a Soon, I played for the state and later for India. But when cannot rely only on women’s football. It is really difficult career opportunity for female players as not every player I went abroad and played against teams like Australia, I to be sustainable that way, so I also educate boys. Now can be a professional player and reach the top. I think it is realized that the standard of football in India was very I can take the money from there and put it in women’s great being a coach. Football in itself has given me a lot bad. So I decided to go abroad to get professional football football. That’s part of my concept. of confidence and self-esteem. It just makes you who you training. I went to Italy for one year to equip myself with are, it defines you as a person and makes you disciplined. professional football training under a Series B coach and What I am looking to do over here is to provide quality Being a coach gives me a lot of power and it makes me also played at Grifo Perugia Femminile Calcio in Series football training. I know there are many academies in feel very confident. A coach is also a teacher and a role A2. It was a really good experience, and I went to the US India but the quality of coaching delivered by them model. So when you are coaching so many kids you are to play over there. is not up to the mark. I got all my coaching licenses also imparting your values on them. It’s a huge and big Disha Malhotra and in my training centers the focus is on having good responsibility and you have to make sure that you are Delhi, India, Foot and Ball After two years of college I had to stop playing because coaches, quality training, and professionalism. In my doing the right thing because otherwise you are playing of too many injuries, and I started coaching kids in the coaching-program I focus on age-appropriate training with someone’s life. You have to be really confident about US. That’s how my coaching career kind of began. But for different age-groups and on football-related exercises it. It is really a lot of responsibility and you have to equip Aim for the best! also, since the beginning, my plan was not only to be a and game-related situations instead of just running laps yourself in various fields to be that person. professional player but to be a coach and a manager and which does not really make sense to me. come back and change the scenario of football in India. Therefore I also got my sports management degree in the It is also important to me to offer coach education and US, and when I finished I came back to India to start my to train coaches. I am looking to hire a lot of women own venture here to promote women’s football. Start- coaches so that more females get attracted and the 58 PORTRAIT | Evelyne Akinyi Ajing 59 Keep the dream alive I started playing football when I was nine years old and avenues for the development of their own communities. I have experienced living in the slums, I have maintained living next to a football pitch, belonging to an organiza- The girls we target are girls who live in disadvantaged a positive attitude. I have learned that every obstacle or tion encouraging boys and girls to play football. In the communities who don’t get access to basic education, problem has a way of working out and of providing me community where I come from, most of the people live basic health provision or information about HIV and AIDS. with a lesson. It only makes me work harder, raise my on a day-to-day basis. Just playing football was tough. As a coach you are not only a coach teaching sport skills, goals and objectives to the next level and appreciate the But our coach did not just teach us football, he also you become a mentor. Many kids have difficult family opportunities that have come through football. I have helped us understand what’s important in life. I looked backgrounds, they are poor or struggling to survive. acquired the ability to work in and adapt to different up to him. I know that not all the girls managed to make These kids are looking up to you, see you as their teacher environments, development fields and related issues. I a better life for themselves, but those who did became and this is your big chance to make a positive impact. hope we can create a worldwide network to address the good sports leaders, role models, and were trained by The time after football practice is even more important. needs for women’s football. It’s obvious we all face the this coach. Who I am today, I owe to my coach. I know Through football we are creating a space for girls to meet, same challenges. Being able to share our experiences or you can’t help change everybody’s life, but even if you to talk about problems and sorrows, seek advice and we practices - whether it is something we do in Pakistan, reach a few people, that’s a big achievement. My own support them in finding their own solutions. Lebanon or South Africa - can help us change the situation experience motivated me to start working with girls gradually. I was surprised to learn that even Germany has and young women in disadvantaged and marginalized Through my experience of working with children and come a long way fighting for women’s football. And look communities by creating a platform and opportunities women on football for development and social protec- where they are today, although I think it’s still a long way for them playing football. I worked for two organizations, tion, I am now well equipped with a skill set to run my to go until we have equality. A journey of a thousand Seeds of Peace Africa and Girls Unlimited in Nairobi. Our own initiatives at a highly professional level. I had the miles begins with one step, and I believe our network is mission was to use sport and life skills to nurture, educate privilege to work in a multicultural environment, be a a platform for that one step. and empower children and women to positively explore role model and empower children and women to excel. and use their skills and potential to provide powerful Throughout the many challenges and financial hardships Evelyne Akinyi Ajing Nairobi, Kenya, Girls Unlimited Nairobi 60 61

4 MAIN PART 4.1 4.1 62 MAIN PART WARM UP (15-20 min) MAIN PART (45-60 min) MAIN PART 63

AIM CONTENT CONTENT AIM Bringing The warm-up sets the tone for the entire session. | Preparation of the training The main part is where we explain and learn things. | According to the focus, you Making the players ground. | Personal welcoming of everyone. Make sure all the players have greeted introduce the appropriate exercises. The exercises can be made up by one proto- progress physically and each other. | Time for greeting and smooth arrival of players. | Explanation of the type that gradually gets more complex or by a variation of similar exercises. | The in a spe- mentally to the upcoming practice (aims and content). | Whole-body warm-up practices with the dimensions of the exercise should equal the dimensions on a real football field in cific motion state of being to entire group. | Combining physical with pedagogical warm-up by playing games order to make skills applicable in the game. As a final step, you could convert the sequence. 4.1 perform. to heat up the circulating system and the body temperature as well as the degree exercise into a real scenario by introducing the pressure of an opponent team. | in motivation and team spirit. | The exercises generally start off quite simple and Depending on the difference in skills or the size of the group, you could split the with movements for the overall body before getting more focused and complicated group. | The aim should be to have everyone moving, to provide as many touches ELEMENTS in the main part. | As for the motivational aspect, the exercises can also contain of the ball as possible and neither be over or under challenging. | Observe and - if OF A GOOD singing and dancing, whatever your team likes! needed- interrupt the exercise and correct it patiently and in detail. PRACTICE

While every training practice varies from the FINAL PART (15-30 min) GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS next, trainings all tend Are all players mentally to consist of three main AIM CONTENT Set a focus and an aim of the session and the period. Do this in collaboration with your team and in and physically involved? parts: a warm-up, a The final part is Most times this is considered the game-like situation (with the entire team) | accordance to their abilities. | Document your sessions and the players’ development. This enables you to organize future practices and feedback more easily. | Always be prepared. Even if you don’t end up main section and a final where we try to According to the focus of the session, the game could include some variables Is the practice under or phase, which are all make use of what and restrictions (one , more than two goals, etc). | Let the players develop doing the planned exercises, a preparation will help you to feel confident and flexible during the session. | Set rules with and for the team that everyone knows , e.g. how will players get in when they are late for over challenging? framed by some general we’ve learned confidence with their game by letting them play and only correcting them when and combine important remarks need to be made. | Observe the players and evaluate the practice? | The rules and your behavior should not (dis)advantage anyone. Pay attention that, for example, considerations. it with our effects of the exercises. | Get together for a brief closure of the session with a the group distribution treats everyone fairly. | Communicate and demonstrate clearly and respectfully. Am I also having fun playing short evaluation as well as an outlook to the upcoming events. | Cool-down with Always wait until you catch everyone’s attention and everyone can hear and see you. | Only advance grad- at the practice? DISCOVER FOOTBALL skills. some slow movements and stretching. ually from easy to complicated, from slow to fast. | Have an eye for the group and the individual. | Switch carefully between periods of high intensity and relaxation. | Establish rituals for the beginning and ending of the practice/games - but vary the exercises! | Create spaces for the creativity and participation of your players! | Look out for fun variations from other sports - , frisbee or can get us inspired! 64 4.2 MAIN PART | Tools for a good practice 4.2 MAIN PART | Tools for a good practice 65

TOOLS FOR A GOOD INTRODUCTION TO GROSS FINE AUTOMATION VARIOUS 4.2 PRACTICE THE MOTION COORDINATION COORDINATION APPLICATIONS Demonstration. Explorative exercising. Standardized exercis- Exercising under less Exercising under DISCOVER FOOTBALL Accompanied with ing, facilitated learning facilitated learning varied and game-like brief explanation. Suggest raw move- conditions. conditions. conditions such as a ments to slowly get to competition. Provide a clear and where you want to go. Players now should try Players now should proper demonstration Let players ‘explore’ to perform the entire perform the entire Introduce the motion of the movement by the movement. movement repeatedly movement repeat- in various contexts: showing it yourself/ on their own. edly under harder high-pressure situa- The team as a whole will make progress Step by Step. ask a player or using Get together and talk conditions, such as tions, against an oppo- by understanding each player’s abilities on an individual other technologies about their expe- the introduction of an nent, or other chal- basis. Through keen observation, we can meet each such as showing it on riences and needs. opponent player or lenging conditions. player where she is, and move on gradually from simple your phone or with Correct with positive time limitation. to complex, from slow to fast, from familiar favorites to graphics. language! new tricks, from low- to high-pressure, from personal bests to group triumphs. Try to find the balance between allowing players to explore for themselves, versus offering them guidance by correcting along the way. 66 4.2 MAIN PART | Tools for a good practice 67

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TAKING NOTES, KEEPING TRACK

You liked an exercise you saw online? But it seems too hard for your team? There are easy ways to adjust exercises, to cone make them more or less complex. This allows you to vary pass the exact same exercise in many different ways and also to be flexible to the needs that occur during practice. dribbling / moving with ball

moving without ball Reduce or increase: player Space * goal Time: with/without time limitation * Number of players ball * Pressure or not (no/semi-active/active opponent) * Ratio defenders - attackers: vary and exchange players It is immensely helpful to document training sessions * Amount and size of goals and develop a personal collection of exercises to which * Obstacles, change of directions, etc. can be referred back. Within the DISCOVER FOOTBALL * Amount of touches of the ball network, we have started to share our favorite drills, which * Amount of combined movements and actions we want to present to you on the following pages. Please * Additional rules for shots on goal (e.g., only headers, note the signs above that have proven international * only running backwards, use weaker foot) readability and which are also used in most descriptions Competition or not (on individual level or group level) that are accessible online. * 68 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 69

‘LITTLE CORNER’ WARM UP WARM UP ‘GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE BALL’ Winning the ball Passing Supporting Dribbling Controlling

A large group of players pass the ball among themselves. * The player(s) on the inside tries/try to intercept the passes. * In a square, every player dribbles their ball following the When the ball is successfully intercepted, the inside player swaps * * positions with the player whose pass she intercepted. instructions (acoustic/visual) of the coach: Dribble with right/left foot Use the inside/outside of the * foot Move sideways/backwards* Do toe touches on the * * ball Speed dribbling Incorporate tricks Juggle ...There* is no limit to your* creativity! * ‘HANDBALL’

Supporting Movement VARIATION I Reduce the number of balls. * Players without a ball try to win a ball from one of their team- * mates (constant 1:1). Two teams play handball, the members of each team VARIATION * throw the ball to their teammates, the opponents try to Same game, but set up a goal VARIATION II win the ball by catching it. * instead of using a goal line. Players without a ball are positioned on the outside of the Once a player catches the ball, she is not allowed to Goals can only be scored by head- * square and can receive a pass from a player within the square. * move! Only the players without the ball can move! * ing the ball. The players switch places. The teams can score by putting the ball behind their * opponents’ goal line (imaginary line between the cones). 70 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 71 ‘ENDLESS DUEL’ ‘GO FOR THE BALL’ Possession Concentration MAIN PART MAIN PART Long balls Shots on goal Controlling

3-6 players form a circle. * Inside the circle, 2 players move and fight for the ball. * Prepare a field (e.g. 30 m long) with a goal on either end; a group of The player possessing the ball (player A) tries to keep the ball while dribbling inside the circle. * players is positioned in line next to each goal. * After some moments of safe possession of the ball (max 40 sec.), the player dribbles towards * The first player of group A kicks a long and high ball to the first one of her teammates forming the circle. * player across the field. This player now enters the circle and continues the ‘endless duel’ in the place of player A. * The first player of group B receives and controls the ball asap, then * dribbles a few meters and shoots on the opposite goal. She then gets in line in group A.

‘CROSSING THE RIVER’ VARIATION Passing Reading the game In order to increase the difficulty, the player from group A becomes * a defender after kicking the ball. The receiving group now attacks with two players. (2 vs. 1). Group A can also defend with two players Mark a zone (‘river’) (e.g. 2x10 m) in the centre of a field. (2 vs. 2). Any ratio of attackers to defenders is possible. * 2-3 players are positioned in the zone, while the rest of the players are divided evenly on both * long sides of the river. The players on one side pass the ball around and try - once there is the opportunity - to pass * the ball across the ‘river’ to the other side without having the players IN the river intercept it. Through movement of player and ball, the players on both sides of the river try to create space * while the players inside the river try to cut off passing routes. Swap after short intense periods of e.g. 2 mins. * 72 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 73 ‘ATTACK AND DEFEND’ ‘PLAYMAKING’ MAIN PART MAIN PART Concentration Awareness Duel Keeping calm under pressure Back four Defending and attacking

Set up two big goals about 30-50 m apart. A goal-keeper can Prepare a field with dimensions of your real playing field. On one goal line put a full size goal. * * be positioned in each goal. Mindway between the goals on the Across from the goal on the center line use cones to mark two small goals (the inner cone of imaginary center line set up two small cone goals on the wings. these goals should line up with the goal posts of the full size goal). * Players with balls should be divided into two groups and positioned The goalkeeper puts the ball into the game, and the defensive team of 6 players plays against * * next to each big goal. the 4 attackers. Once the attackers win the ball, the 2 defensive midfielders join the attacking Player A starts and dribbles through the cone goal on her side. team to create a numerical advantage, and the attacking team tries to go to the goal and score, * Once she has dribbled through the cone goal she can try to score. while the defenders defend. At the same time player A starts dribbling, the first player from the Following different and coordinated variations of combinational play, the defense tries to open * * opposite goal (player B) comes out without a ball and prepares the game mainly via the wings. Passing the ball through one of the small cone goals equals a to defend player A. (Drawing 1) successful pass to the wing player. Once the play is over (either player A shot the ball or player B * won the ball), player A immediately runs diagonally back into the other half of the field and becomes the defender for player C. At the same time, player C starts dribbling from Player B’s original OPTIONS OF GAME OPENING starting position to the cone goal. (Drawing 2) After that, Player D (from player A’s original starting position) If the goalkeeper can’t or doesn’t want to put the ball into play by a long ball, she still begins dribbling and player C becomes the defender, and so on. has various options making precise passes and communicating well.

via full backs back pass → long ball VARIATION via center backs passing to defensive midfielder The defenders can go from defending 50% to defending 100%. via defensive midfielder passing to wing player * 74 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 75

MAIN PART SCRIMMAGE ‘DIFFERENT LEVELS’ ‘OPEN UP’

Possession of the ball Decision-making Cross ball Zone coverage Shifting

Mark 3 squares (10 x 10 m), square 3 ends 10 meters before the goal. * The four corners of a relatively spacious field are goal zones. Two zones (on Position a goal-keeper in the goal. * diagonal ends) belong to one of the two teams and the other two belong to Position one defender in square 1 (the square furthest from the goal). the other team. Each team puts one player in each of their two goal zones. * Position one defender and a ‘helping attacker’ in square 2. * The teams try to win and keep possession of the ball and score by passing or Position two defenders and two ‘helping attackers’ in square 3. * playing a long ball into the corner zone to their teammate. The player in the * The player enters square 1 with the ball and faces a 1:1 situation trying * goal zone can’t be attacked by the opponents while in the goal zone. Thus, to advance to square 2. In square 2 she has to face a 2:1 situation trying the continuation of passing and the movement without the ball is preferable to advance to square 3 and in square 3 she faces a 3:2 situation. to dribbling. After passing square 3 the player can shoot on the goal. * After receiving the ball in the goal zone, the player leaves the zone and the * player who passed her the ball goes into the goal zone. The game continues without hesitation and the team that just scored keeps on playing while the opposing team tries to win the ball and score on their zones. 76 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 77 ‘WING&WIN’

Wing play Passing AIDS/HIV AWARENESS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS STEP II SCRIMMAGE How can you relate the game with real life situations? LIFE SKILLSLebogang Maranda Tlhako, Evelyne Anyango Ochieng * Did you know or see who represented the HIV virus? Prepare a relatively spacious field with two VARIATIONS * Can you identify the safe spaces in your community? * zones covering the full length of the left and The wing players remain the same throughout Reflecting Exchange Apply * What are the ways the HIV virus spreads in the community? right side of the field: the ‘wing zones’. * the game or fixed periods of the game. * What are some of the things that destroy our safe spaces? Play a regular game. The only restriction: Players After the wing players received a pass, they are * Who are the people who create safe spaces for us? * who play in the ‘wing zone’(one from each team * allowed to leave the zone and are substituted by * Choose a tagger who puts on a different bib from the other How does the virus affect the people in a community? on either side, so 4 in total) can’t be attacked by the player who passed the ball into the wing zone. * * players. Play tag or any other fun game. The tagger is representing How can we assist people with HIV/AIDS? their opponents. This enables the development Goals shot after a long ball by the wing player * HIV/AIDS running to infect players by tapping them. Whoever is What choices would you make as a young player? of the game via wing players. * count double. * tagged joins the tagger to continue tagging the other players. VARIATION I DISCUSSION QUESTIONS STEP I The facilitator asks: What’s needed to get rid of the infections? How was the game? Let players mention the preventive measures e.g. use condoms ‘NO TIME TO RELAX’ Was it easy to be tagged? consistently and correctly, reduce multiple sexual partners, keep How does it feel to be a tagger? seeing the doctor to take drugs ARV’s, get tested etc. Speed Agility Reaction time How can we run away from the tagger? Give a pass to anyone who shouts any preventive measure to How can we reflect this game with life? reduce the spread of HIV, let the passes be faster. The tagger is to tag anyone who doesn’t use her voice by mentioning these Prepare a relatively small field with relatively big goals. Now introduce ‘safe spaces’ (mark them with cones). In the ‘safe preventive measures (meaning, they aren’t using any of them * Create at least three teams with no subs. * spaces’ the players cannot be tagged. The players should not so they put others and themselves at risk). * The tournament starts with team A playing team B, and team C waits on the sidelines. Once a stay in the ‘safe spaces’ more than 10 seconds before moving to * team scores, the losing team goes to the sidelines and is replaced by the waiting team. The game the next ‘safe space’. The safe areas represent the school, sports VARIATION II changes directions. This means, if team A scores against team B, team C immediately has to react club, church, hospital, home and police station etc. Finally, you can also introduce the ball as metaphor for a preventive and get onto the field. Team A has to get oriented after having to change directions immediately. measure. In order to protect themselves and others, the players There is no interruption of the game after a goal. Whoever reacts first, starts playing again. It aims have to pass the ball around. A player with the ball can’t be tagged. at building concentration and quick reaction time. 78 4.3 MAIN PART | Drills 79

RESPECT CONCENTRATION MOTIVATION COMMITMENT TEAM BUILDING ‘Hands and Feet’ ‘Get the bottle!’ ‘Put it down!’ ‘Arms crossed’

The players get together in The players get together in The players form two lines The players stand close to groups of 3-6 people. The groups up to 7 people. They facing each other. They are each other with closed eyes. coach chooses a number of gather behind a marked line standing around a stick lifted With each hand they grab hands and feet allowed to with a 1m long stick. At 3m to waist height. Each par- the hand of one other per- touch the ground. ‘4 hands distance a bottle is located ticipant offers one finger to son. Make sure it is not their and 3 feet’ means that the on the ground. The groups put the stick on. Their fingers neighbor while assisting players have to find ways of have to find ways of how to must be in contact with the them finding another hand. how to safely lift each other’s commonly reach the bottle stick the entire time while The arms of the players will different body parts off the without stepping on the they try to put the stick thus make a knot. With open ground so they don’t exceed ground between line and slowly onto the ground. eyes, the players now try the announced number. bottle. You are not going to expect to undo the knot without what usually happens! letting go of each others’ hands! It works!

When success is lacking on the playing field, oftentimes How to become a team? the atmosphere in a team is affected. In order to maintain What can a coach do when a team is lacking success? the idea of the 11 friends it takes to win, we can introduce What are the tasks for the coach in the team-building team-building measures in the training. Aside from team process - and what is the extent of these tasks? parties and activities off the pitch, there are also a couple What are the requirements for a group to become of fun exercises for the sports field! a team? 80 4.4 MAIN PART | How to deal with heterogeneous teams 4.4 MAIN PART | How to deal with heterogeneous teams 81

with (if there are discipline issues, for example). At the to vary the way you work: one time separate groups by end, it is all about using the football language. Using it level and the other time build groups by mixing levels. in the way you talk, the way you explain an exercise, as When working by level, you will select exercises and drills in the way you prepare your field or even dress up. What according to the players and what they have to work 4.4 HOW TO DEAL WITH HETEROGENEOUS TEAMS is of more concern, particularly to the role of the coach, on: no one will feel that it is ‘too much’ or ‘too easy’ and is that she gives an equal treatment to every player, everybody will learn. When mixing players, for example regardless of their social position – equality so that no 80% of experienced players and 20% of beginners in a TATIANA KHALIL one feels superior or inferior to anyone else. group, you push the general level up.

The second type of heterogeneity we can find within To conclude, the image of the coach is very important. a team is the variation in skill level among players. You The way you treat the players reflects the way the play- often have a group of good players, a group of mid-level ers will treat each other. Football is a team sport and players and then a group of beginners. Coaching football heterogeneity is a core element of a team. Players have Football teams and teams in general consist of many play- the world, the first aspect we have to deal with is the is also about mentally coaching the players. As you want to have in mind that each one of them is important, and ers, players that are all different from each other. We will social and cultural mixture. The role of a coach here is them to get better individually and as a team, you have to they should be able to rely on each other. The role of the find experienced players facing beginners, calm players to put everyone on the same planet. How? The first step help them build a space where they feel free, good and coach is to make sure they all think with this mindset facing excited players, rich players facing poor players, is to encourage players to wear the same outfits during cared about. It is important that you let every player be and to transmit this through her actions during practices and all the nuances in between. Two main aspects reflect training as during matches. It can be the official training conscious of his/her/their level: what is good, what has and matches. this difference: the social and cultural difference and the outfit or something you decided together (“we will all to be ameliorated, what has to be concentrated on, etc. level heterogeneity. As coaches, we have to create an wear black”). No Cristiano or Messi jersey. This trick can From this point, giving individual feedback will make he/ atmosphere that makes all the differences ‘disappear’. help hiding poverty of some of the players. What is also she/they responsible for it and help the player get better. So how can we do it? What our players have in common important is to create ground rules that are rules specific Staying positive with critique is also a way to keep the for sure – hopefully – is that they are all passionate to the training (at what moment we take the balls, we self-esteem in good shape. During training, it is important about football. As football is the most popular sport in talk, we focus...) or rules specific to the group you deal 82 4.5 MAIN PART | How to deal with conflicts in your team 4.5 MAIN PART | How to deal with conflicts in your team 83

If the conflict stems from the football pitch and affects council to find out what it is and how to solve it. Do not their game (e.g. not passing the ball to one another) you be afraid to talk to your players – often you find out by should act and offer them a chat . Again, try to act as talking that the problem is not as big as you thought or a mediator. You can also ask them how you as a coach that you can easily find a solution. Also, encourage your 4.5 HOW TO DEAL WITH CONFLICTS IN YOUR TEAM could help them with solving the conflict or preventing players to talk to you about things that bother them a similar situation. already before conflicts arise. An atmosphere where conflicts are seen as a normal part of communication, DISCOVER FOOTBALL If several players have a conflict with one another you lowers barriers to talking about things going wrong and can act similar to the situation described above. Just be solving conflicts. It is important to develop an attitude of aware that the larger the number of players involved, being open to critique, especially given the hierarchical the more complicated the conflict might get and the relation between you and your players. more likely it is that it affects the atmosphere in your In every group of people, ideas, opinions and behaviors If two players have a conflict with one another that has team as a whole. Again, try to shift the talk towards ideas, It can happen that you personally like or dislike some can vary and clash. A football team is no exception. In nothing to do with football and does not affect their solutions and needs to solve the conflict. This fosters a players more than others. Do not feel bad about it, and your position as a coach you are responsible for taking game or the general atmosphere in the team, you can constructive atmosphere. remember that you are a human being as well, but care of conflicts in your team or at least for not ignoring decide to stay out of it and just observe it to see if it gets your decisions as a coach (e.g. the lineup) should stay them. There are also typical sources of conflicts of which solved, or worse. You can also offer the players to have If one or several player(s) has/have a conflict with you, completely unaffected by this. It might also happen that you should be aware. Here are some examples of conflicts a talk and serve as a kind of mediator. If you choose this you should definitely talk to them and maybe consider to you decide to treat one or several players differently that might occur in your team and some ideas of how option, try to understand both players’ views and leave get a moderator. Try to understand their point of view and than others because of their private or social situations. to react. Note that these are only suggestions, every your personal opinions out of it as much as possible. explain (not defend) your behavior if they have questions Here again it might help to be as transparent as possible conflict is different, and that the problems as well as the Try to focus on solutions and the needs in the specific about it. Try to work towards a solution that leaves both of and explain as much as you can why you act like this solutions always depend on the exact circumstances and situation rather than only on the roots of the conflict. you satisfied. If you have the feeling that the whole group without disrespecting the privacy of the players that are people involved. has a problem with your way of coaching, you should concerned. Finally, it can also happen that a player falls talk to the group or, (if there is), to the captain or players in love with you or has a crush on you. This situation can 84 4.5 MAIN PART | How to deal with conflicts in your team 4.5 MAIN PART | How to deal with conflicts in your team 85

be delicate and there are many ways of dealing with it. In general, it is a good idea to be as transparent as possible Here are some hints in short that you might want to about your decisions so that the team can understand consider: Typical conflicts that stem from the pitch and that fall your actions. If you talk to single players or a small group under your responsibility as a coach can come from one of players, try to look for a good moment and a quiet See your players in their wholeness: Your team is Aim at respecting your players’ privacy concerning * * player being too selfish on the pitch and not passing environment where the conversation has a good and composed not just of football players but of human conflicting situations while also protecting the har- the ball enough, from the offensive players leaving comfortable setting. Be aware that you speak from a beings with feelings, wishes, certain backgrounds mony in your team. the defensive players with all the defensive work, from powerful position. You should always try to understand and experiences. Respect your own limits – you are a coach and not a * players not understanding your decisions as a coach or, each point of view and be sensitive. transparent * Try to be as as possible about your decisions therapist or social worker. If you recognize that the in a heterogeneous group, players having different ideas so that the players can understand them. players need other types of help, try to find suitable about the level of play. In these situations try to talk to If there is a ask them Communicate constantly team captain or a players’ council * with your players and ask experts. all players involved, hear their different views and also for help when conflicts occur. In many cases it might them how they are. If helpful, establish structures for Establish structures like a players’ council and coop- * let them explain their views to each other. Then work even be better if the players solve their problems by talking about feelings (like a meeting each month). erate with them all the time, but especially when for a solution that is satisfactory for everyone, including themselves. It is also your way of showing respect to the feedback * Ask your team for and respect their opinions. conflicts occur. yourself, and ask the players about their needs and wishes. captain or council by relying on them in times of conflict. If you talk to single players or a group of players, look It is a good idea to seek advice (e.g. another coach) if * Also remind them of rules that you have commonly come You should be in good contact with these members of for a comfortable environment. you don’t know how to handle a situation. up with and that might get lost in the heat of the game. your team in order to be informed about what is going It can be helpful to use methods like visualizing, brain- on in the team that you might not have noticed and to storming for solutions, or team-building to strengthen know when they want you to be involved. You should the understanding and solidarity between players. clarify in the beginning what kind of tasks the captain or council has and what role they should play when it comes to conflicts. 86 4.5 MAIN PART | How to deal with conflicts in your team 87

MILENA BERTOLINI Milena Bertolini was a player in the first Italian league and for the Italian national team. As a teenager she was already interested in coaching and started studying to become a coach. During her active time as a player When you constantly live together with a bunch of peo- that is not my role. I try to understand the motivations she coached youth teams, both boys and girls. She is ple, it is normal that conflicts arise. Conflicts can be with of each of them since everybody has good motiva- now head coach of ACF Brescia and holds an UEFA Pro and between players, with and between managers, with tions that have to be considered. It is important not License. In her function as the President of the Foun- and between staff members, with press people, etc. For to mix the professional and the personal spheres and dation of Sports of Reggio Emilia she edited the book starters, I think it is crucial that the space for all of these to respect each role of the people involved, not being ‘Giocare con le tette’, which deals with stereotypes conflicts does exist. If there was not such a space, that inopportune. I strongly believe in exchange, in active and sexism and the pioneers of women’s football in would mean that the individual space for expression and mutual listening, into possible mediation starting Italy. She hopes that in the future female coaches will would be lacking. I think conflict is an opportunity to from the idea that every single one has valid reasons to only be evaluated on their personal and professional grow, not something to fear, but something to be faced; express. The goal is to overcome the conflict in order to something not to be suffocated by authority or by a start again closer and more compact than before. When competencies, without any kind of prejudice. She presumed ‘power’ given by the position. The conflict it is not possible to do this, the situation could also lead tries to advocate for this cultural change through her has to be faced, together we must try to find out the to an inevitable professional separation that, as far as work for which she sees care of details, critical sense, roots because beyond the apparent motivation, there I am concerned, is never personal. Common reasons capacity of renewal and human responsibility as crucial is always a personal discomfort that deserves respect. and divergences have to find a meeting point for the competencies. The goal of her team ist to get better I do not get out from the situation, I do not try to be group and for the team, without damaging sensitivity and better: not just winning trophies but growing both the judge; if controversies among the girls take place, and personal possibilities. individually and collectively. 88 4.6 MAIN PART | A collection of methods for reflection 4.6 MAIN PART | A collection of methods for reflection 89

A COLLECTION OF METHODS FOR REFLECTION 4.6 ROLE-PLAY WITH PEERS

DISCOVER FOOTBALL A milestone for our coaching activities is to find peers – those who also coach. While it is already helpful to share exercises, it might be even more important to talk about challenging situations and discuss potential solutions. One way to come up with new ideas is a role-play. Each LETTERS TO YOURSELF member of the group can contribute a scenario which has LETTERS TO THE TEAM been challenging to her. She will name the different actors Sit down from time to time to write down your feelings, in it: e.g. the coach, the player x , the player y, and the your fears, your struggles and your wishes concerning This method is also a really nice way to gather feedback referee. Distribute the roles amongst the group members your coaching activities. Put it into an envelope that you from others. Put envelopes with the names of your team and enact the scene. It is important to say that everyone To not get stuck on traditional paths, coaches have to either store somewhere special in your room or give to a members on a wall and ask everyone to put a note into plays a role and is not representing their personal ways. take a breath and think about what they are doing, how friend or family member to keep it safely for you. Sitting five to seven of them during a period of two weeks. At The most important people are the observers. They focus they are doing it and whether this goes along with their down a few months later and doing the same thing - the end, you can have a look into the envelopes making on the different roles or the overall happenings. After the (changing) aims. To get a clear view, it is important to taking care of yourself - you then can pull out the former sure none of them is empty. You also write little notes. scene, the actors tell how they felt in the situation. The introduce feedback measures to the teams just as well letter - and see in what way you can relate to the feelings Make sure this is only about positive feedback. You then observers tell what they saw without judging. In a final as to find means to exchange with peers and reflect on and issues addressed in it. It will bring light to long term send the letters a couple of weeks later to all of your team step, people could come up with different reactions at your own. phenomena as well as to forgotten joys. members that will enjoy the surprise. different stages of the play. 90 4.6 MAIN PART | A collection of methods for reflection 91

TAKE YOUR TIME…

...might be trivial advice - but also a prevalent one. Take your time before and after practice for preparation and evaluation. Take your time to gather new information and be up-to-date. And especially take time to shake off the weight that a regular practice can lay on you with recrea- tional periods for yourself that can help you gain the ability to answer some of the following questions for yourself.

When have I learned the most? * BE THE PLAYER AGAIN When have I had fun and felt satisfied? * What has been the worst defeat and the most beau- * In order to be inspired and to come across the points of tiful victory? interest for your own reflection process, it can be helpful When and in what sense does the team feel successful? * to get back to the role as a player. Join a recreational Which are the hierarchies in the team, what should/ * team, bring your own girls team to another team for a can we do about them? shared practice, ask a befriended coach if you can join Where do my tasks end and where do they begin? * her practice as a player, go and watch a game of the Am I enabling a mutual dialogue? * team you played in when you were younger or watch a How do we use our body and voice? * documentary about a coach. Write down your impres- ... sions and what you’ve liked and disliked or wondered * about - from the outer perspective. These might be the (You can come up with more questions on your own or exact features you want to re-think in your own practice. in a group of peers!) 92 PORTRAIT | Seyni Ndir Seck 93

I work as a coach and manager and I am president of wasn’t easy. It was because of these negative reactions the organization Ladies’ Turn, which is working for the that my parents were reluctant to let me play. But now promotion and development of women’s football in I am using this experience to approach all those parents Senegal. From 2001 until 2010, I played in the Senegalese of girls in my teams who are unwilling to let them play. I national team. try to talk to them, to gain their trust and explain things to them. There is no reason to prevent a girl from playing I started playing football when I was seven years old. I football. To think that she is fragile, that she can get hurt was the only girl playing football in my neighborhood, more easily than a boy, is wrong. Convincing parents to in fact, the only girl in Yoff, my village. So it was very let their girl play, that motivates me a lot. No one did this difficult. Without football I don’t know what I would for me. With all my experience, everything is now clear have become. Because football gave me my strength in my mind, I know what I want and I know what I can of character, everything I am today is thanks to football. contribute, and this is why I do my utmost. Getting accepted as a football player hasn’t always been easy for me. This is why I am helping all the girls, the What is special about the position of being a coach is Where there’s a will, there’s a way little sisters who follow behind me, to not have to live that you understand the players better and therefore through the same difficult situations. I started coaching you can help them more. At the same time, you become while I was still a player and founded a girls’ team in my their confidante, their Mum, their everything. It’s already Seyni Ndir Seck neighborhood to help them stand up to these challenges. difficult for the girls when they have a problem, but talking Dakar, Senegal, Ladies Turn I have several motivations: When I was little and I played about it is even more difficult. Being their coach, you can football, it wasn’t easy for my parents, either. At the be this link between them and their environment. It is mosque, my father’s friends would tell him: “I saw your always good for a coach to be able to question yourself daughter here... I saw your daughter there...,” and that and to listen - an openness of the mind. Join94 forces! Expand PORTRAIT | Sofie Goetze and Carmen Grimm 95 potential! We met about three years ago, playing for the DISCOVER look back and realize that we were, and had always been, girls whose opportunities to play in clubs are restricted FOOTBALL Club Kreuzberg, a women-only leisure team looking for women coaches and female role models. We for various reasons. We have since shifted our focus to in Berlin. Although we were the two youngsters on the had faced prejudice and discrimination on the pitch and different groups who face barriers entering the traditional team, we were among the most experienced in coaching within the traditional club on the grounds that football club-based football system in Germany, for instance and this led us to become friends and coaching partners is considered a male sport. However, we both experi- refugees with the organization ‘Champions without immediately. We share the same passion for football enced a strong feeling of community within our teams Borders’. Here, we want to contribute to sports for all as and coaching, but our backgrounds in football are very and learned to identify the underlying causes as well as well as facilitate meetings of people who do not usually different. And we like to consider these differences as strategies to counter discriminatory situations. It is these come together. our assets. Aged nine, Sofie started playing in a club two strands that have shaped our activism and coaching Sofie Goetze and Carmen Grimm in Frankfurt and dreamt of a successful football career. practice today. Through the peer-to-peer approach we Finally, we have also tried to conquer new fields within Berlin, Germany, DISCOVER FOOTBALL/ Carmen got into football at age 15 when she moved to a are now able to create safe spaces not only to play, but the sport: With our initiative spielaufbau (Playmaking) we Champions ohne Grenzen/spielaufbau new neighborhood in Berlin and joined a team primarily also to share gender-related struggles and to express create interventions on and about street football courts in order to get to know new people. When we were about ourselves openly. This position helps us create safety as well as creative and inclusive coaching material. When 18 years old, both of us knew we wanted to become and understanding among and for adolescent women. not playing football, we practice footvolley with the coaches for two reasons - enabling young girls to enjoy first women’s team in Germany that we co-founded. At the positive effects of the sport but also contributing to Working together as a team has unique advantages our first tournament, we asked the winners about their changes for the better. and we have developed this skill to suit our particular playing philosophy and they told us: “We are training projects, devising and implementing them. Apart from partners. But we are primarily best friends. So on the At the end of our adolescence, we both moved to new gathering and developing expertise, in this set-up, we court, we play like best friends. This is what makes us places - Sofie within and Carmen outside of Germany - both are encouraging each other to constantly do more. We strong.” Something that is just as true for coaches! having similar experiences in various places. This made us started off with trainings in after-school programs for 96 PORTRAIT | Sadia Sheikh 97

I am the founder of the first women’s football club in ‘Holidays’ is a word I hardly ever use. Karachi, Pakistan. In Pakistan we are the only club where mothers play football with us. We empower girls, we Why am I doing this? I’m living in a very backwards get them educated, we help them to find a job, but of culture. Males are always given priority. Even when it course, mostly they play football. comes to food, the best meat part goes to the boy and the girl gets the leftover. My basic concept was women I started playing football in Dubai while I was going to empowerment. I wanted to show families in Karachi that It’s been a long run, school there. When I came to Pakistan, I couldn’t con- women are as important as males. If you give them the tinue since football was not offered. Therefore, I played right education, they will support you. We educate our It’s been a hard run. hockey. Later I started a girls’ club. The girls girls twice a week. We teach them to talk properly, how approached me and asked why we don’t have our own to eat, how to speak, where to speak, how to dress up. football club. I only hesitated a little and asked myself if We play at schools, and if I meet a girl who has a lot of girls would come to play. But why shouldn’t we try? So potential, I talk to the school and ask for support. In return we opened a women’s football club in 2003 and have I offer them good publicity. When my girls finish school around 60 to 80 girls, not only from Karachi now. and university, I help them to find a job. Many of them Sadia Sheikh became teachers in top schools or founded colleges Karachi, Pakistan, Diya Women Football Club My father, he didn’t like it. But my mother is a and themselves. These girls are supporting their families now badminton player; she supported me. My brothers and because of their good income. Whatever we do, the most my uncles always saw me as different but they also saw important interactions we have are with their families. that I wanted to do something good and supported me. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find sponsors to fund Now looking back at my work and what I have achieved, our woman club. I got four jobs to run my club. I have even my father is very proud of me. It’s been a long run, been a teacher for more than 22 years. I’m a fitness and it’s been a hard run. football coach and I teach physical education as a subject. 98 PORTRAIT | Aminata Sissoko 99 Together we can raise the level of I started playing football with little boys on the street there are not the same opportunities. For example, there where we used to live. Later, I joined a girls’ football are some women who have gone into coaching football women’s football team and ever since have been pursuing my career. I’m a without having played before. The job of a coach is, in sports teacher, football coach and fitness trainer. I played general, not easy at all. At first, you have to get training. football for 17 years and towards the end of my career The next important step is to gain practical experience I got interested in the coaching side. At the same time, and to develop your own personality because it’s not I started training as a PE teacher and at university I was easy to be a coach and especially a female coach. You able to study theory of football training and take courses really need to have a strong character to make a career. for coaching licenses. This was a gradual transformation For me personally, it was a challenge to turn from player from player to coach. One day, I would love to manage a into a coach. center that is dedicated solely to training girls. I would like to appeal to girls who are interested in football My motivation is first and foremost my passion for football or coaching: Do not hesitate, do it. It hasn’t been easy, and my wish to pass something on to my sisters. When but we got there. There are obstacles, but you manage. I look back, I was practicing football even when I didn’t And that forges your character, it gives us transferable have a lot of money, but I have met lots of people and skills for other areas in your lives. We will get appreciated found long-lasting close friendships. Football has given for what we are. If all the women who are interested in me the opportunity of this education, and it’s thanks to football coaching do not hesitate to rise to this challenge, football that I am in this position today. then together we can raise the level of women’s football Aminata Sissoko closer to that of men’s football. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, Les Princesses In Burkina Faso, there are women and girls everywhere who are interested in playing football and in coaching. But 100 PORTRAIT | Kikelomo Ajayi 101

The sky is going to be your limit I used to be a Nigerian national football player and cap- As captain, I’ve won five African Cups. I’ve trained with tain of the national team which I’ve been to the World qualified coaches. When I told them that I wanted to Kikelomo Ajayi Cup and the Olympics with. Now I am a coach: assistant retire from playing and become a coach and learn Lagos, Nigeria coach in Nigeria, and assistant coach in the police team from them, they said, “You can’t be a coach! Continue in Nigeria. Where I train there are a lot of young boys and playing!” It was a big challenge to pull this through. girls. Parents reach out to me and ask “can you train my Still, I get criticized regularly, like “how can this mother girls?” After their school I pick them up because they are be our coach?” And if I become a coach because of my only little kids whose mothers are always busy working. biography and football career, one argument is that it’s I take them to training, train them, and afterwards I still too much ambition. This criticism is fueled by jealousy. look after them, buying them water and biscuits with The young girls who come to my training, I advise them my own money, playing the role of surrogate mother. to be focused, to have dedication and, whether Muslim or Christian, to put God first, because when you do that, I have many years of experience playing football - I played only the sky is going to be your limit. in the Nations Cup and our team was very successful. 102 103

5 SCRIMMAGE 104 5.1 SCRIMMAGE | How to organize a football tournament 5.1 SCRIMMAGE | How to organize a football tournament 105

CHECKLIST

VENUE AND DATE REFEREES AND SCOREKEEPING * * 5.1 HOW TO ORGANIZE A FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT Choose the best possible pitch, according to your budget: Decide if you want to have professional referees, or if a good pitch means less injuries and a more qualitative you will play without referees and with fair play rules. A game. If you foresee audience, make sure that there are football tournament has usually lots of scores to be writ- List based on text by SUZI ANDREIS, Chrzaszczyki-team, Poland. CLAIMING THE PITCH 2013 terraces or a comfortable place for supporters to watch ten down and points to be summed. Make sure you have matches. It’s important there are no similar or competitive at least one or two people at every pitch to write down events at the same time. goals, scorers, red/yellow cards. The more accurate the scorekeeping, the easier it will be awarding best scorers TOURNAMENT RULES AND FORMULA and players, fair-play team, etc. when the games are over. * Set up participation rules and make sure all participants CATERING AND WATER get informed of them: how many teams? do you want to * mix teams with different players? what formula – female If you plan an all-day event it’s nice to arrange snacks or Running weekly practices is great. But sometimes we the following questions: What is the reason why I want or mixed teams? If in your target there are LGBT people, lunch-packages, no matter if self-made or delivered by just need to find additional sources of motivation and to organize a football tournament? Counteracting dis- don’t forget about transgender, i.e. non-biological women a sponsor. Catering can be for free or not, according to appropriate competition. Especially when you are not crimination, social cohesion, fun, competition or maybe or men; how many players in each team; minimum/ your budget. In any case, make sure you have enough participating in official leagues and unsatisfied about it, fundraising? What kind of tournament would I like to maximum age for players; what kind of game (5-a-side/7- water for free, for all participants, for all tournament days. you might consider organizing your own football event. have– more international or more local, focused on players’ a-side/...); what rules (kick in or throw in, changes,...). SIDE EVENTS Below you can find a checklist with some ideas that you pleasure or searching for a larger audience? How can I * may want to think about before organizing such an event. involve my entire football team and maybe the invited The more events you organize, the more time partici- Before getting started, take your time to think about teams in planning and carrying out the tournament? pants will spend with each other. It’s important to have 106 5.1 SCRIMMAGE | How to organize a football tournament 5.1 SCRIMMAGE | How to organize a football tournament 107

common events before and after the tournament, for Here are some possible kinds of income: ADVERTISEMENT and make sure they’re equipped with ice-spray, sticking instance: draw for the group stage, teams registration Grant. Request a grant from institutions, foundations, * plasters and bandages. Before starting, think about whom you want to reach: (the day before the tournament), party with prize-giving government agencies. Check if in your city there are Include in the tournament rules the recommendation footballers, spectators, someone else? In what proportion? ceremony, farewell etc. institutions that support projects aimed to promote that participants should be covered by health insurance. Then assign your strengths accordingly. Involve the participants in as many activities as possible: female football or anti-discrimination activities like the If your budget allows, buy a medical insurance policy Here are examples for different advertisement activities: make them choose the winners of individual prizes (best national or local football federation, the Ministry of Sport to cover the medical costs of injuries that may happen Prepare an invitation to your tournament with all basic player, best goalkeeper, fair play,...), arrange self-pres- or the Equal Opportunities Commission or NGO’s focused during your event. information and send it to your target: football clubs, entation of each team, for instance on the stage during on counteracting discrimination. Think also about yourself! As an event organizer you are national and regional football federation, international opening or closing ceremony. Sponsoring. Prepare an offer for potential sponsors. probably responsible for the safety of participants and and organizations, NGO’s. Remember that asking for money in person is often audience during the tournament. Look around at other Prepare a press-info and send it to local newspapers, PRIZES more effective than by phone or by mail. Sponsoring sports events and see what they do. If required, buy a * radios and internet portals. Do some videos about your doesn’t necessarily mean cash: it can be in the shape of liability insurance policy to cover your own risks. You can assign team and individual awards. There are event and post them on YouTube or Vimeo. equipment, like balls, jerseys, trophies, or services like no requirements; it’s up to your fantasy and budget. Use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to pro- catering or medical assistance during the tournament. AFTER THE TOURNAMENT mote your event. * Participation fees. You can set up fees for team mem- BUDGET Clean the venue from empty bottles, lunch packages, * bers (personal) or for teams. Be inclusive: make sure it SAFETY/INSURANCE papers and all trash resulting from your event. Write a The earlier you make your budget, the better you can is affordable to all teams and all players in your target. * report of the tournament as soon as possible and send plan the event. Write down the whole project in points: If possible, assign part of your budget to a support First of all the pitch should be even, with no holes and it to media and partners so that they have a ready text the tournament and all connected events, your goals, program for those who can’t afford participation fee or no humps to preserve players from injuries. to publish. Make sure you have good quality pictures organizer/s, target and participants, partners and pro- housing costs. Check the law requirements in your country about and videos of all events. visional budget. You need to have a good idea of the Organize a fundraising event like a benefit party. Involve medical assistance during sport events. If there aren’t Prepare and send thank-you letters or messages to all whole enterprise if you intend to ask someone for money your friends, music groups or performers and ask them regulations, the best minimum practice is arranging volunteers, sponsors, partners and participants. to realize it. to make a show to attract people. It can be, for instance, medical personnel for the entire tournament duration a ticketed concert or a party with lotteries and contests. 108 5.2 SCRIMMAGE | Football as political activism 5.2 SCRIMMAGE | Football as political activism 109

FOOTBALL AS 5.2 POLITICAL ACTIVISM

DISCOVER FOOTBALL DISCOVER FOOTBALL

DISCOVER FOOTBALL is an initiative of the association CHAMPIONS OHNE GRENZEN (ChoG) e.V. Fußball und Begegnung e.V. (Football and Exchange), Football is not just a sport - it is much more than a team away from male family members or persons of authority which was founded by committed football enthusiasts is a non-profit association dedicated to providing life aid game. Some initiatives use football for social change, for and this space can just be used for talking and exchange. who use sport as a tool to empower women and promote for refugees in Germany using football as its main tool of political activism or to promote life skills. And football Through football practice, girls and women gain visibility intercultural understanding. We organize international empowerment. Yet CHAMPIONS ohne GRENZEN is not clubs can use the sport to address social and structural and respect; develop transferable life skills; gain aware- exchanges, conferences and tournaments where women only a regional provider of athletic offerings, but acts as inequality that they confront directly. Football lends ness about social inequalities and their personal right and girls build skills and share knowledge that will help an agent to mediate between athletic, social and politi- itself ideally to the pursuit of these objectives: it is very to equality; get a means to empowerment and, last but them gain autonomy, mobility and power. This non- cal groups of engagement to allow refugees to actively accessible; it creates a (safe) space; girls and women not least – they have fun. profit organization relies largely on the voluntary work take part in the shaping of their environment. They also become physically fit; they meet like-minded women and of women, making it unique in the world of football. DIS- produce educational material and deliver workshops at girls and meet positive female role models. Meeting up Here are a few examples of successful initiatives around COVER FOOTBALL challenges gender roles by increasing the intersection of sports and asylum politics to reduce at regular football practice can be the only opportunity the world: diverse images of strong women in the media. obstacles and bias on the side of the footballing structures for some girls or women to meet others in a safe space www.discoverfootball.de towards refugees. championsohnegrenzen.de/ 110 5.2 SCRIMMAGE | Football as political activism 5.2 SCRIMMAGE | Football as political activism 111

BALON MUNDIAL

is a non­-profit organization that was founded in 2012 and is the first Sport ONLUS (non profit organization of social GUERREIRAS PROJECT utility) founded in Turin, northern Italy. The objective of A.s.d. Balon Mundial Onlus is to prevent and to tackle is a collective of athletes, artists and academics that uses any kind of discrimination such as racism and sexism, football as a tool for gender justice and social change. using sport as a vehicle for education to challenge social The name comes from the Portuguese term ‘guerreira’ exclusion. We aim to promote and implement social which means ‘female warrior’. Female football players solidarity, protection of civil rights and a healthy lifestyle in use this term on account of the struggle to be through fair play. We are convinced that playing football accepted and supported within the traditionally male together can provide for education through vocational dominated game. It aims at promoting empowered training and working integration paths. Moreover, we minds and bodies and raising questions around the stress the importance of shared rules and peaceful con- regulation of bodies, possibilities of resistance, and LA NUESTRA FUTBOL FEMENINO LES DÉGOMMEUSES flict resolution as tools for collective empowerment. The social justice within and beyond the game. Therefore, target group of the organization is the youngsters and GUERREIRASPROJECT launches multimedia exhibitions, is an organisation in Buenos Aires, Argentina, that strives is a football team in Paris but also an activist group, the migrant communities living in Turin. Through the performances and research as well as capacity-building to create a space for football practice for young women founded in 2012, dedicated to the fight – in the sport creation of vocational training programs, the organization workshops to position professional football players as and girls, integrating the sport with a gender perspective and through the sport – to promote women’s football also aims to facilitate the reintegration into learning or ambassadors of women’s rights and gender justice in and work in other areas such as education and health. and works against sexism, LGBT-phobias and all forms working life, developing transferable skills useful on and their communities. www.guerreirasproject.org/ lanuestrafutbolfemenino.blogspot.com.ar of discrimination www.lesdegommeuses.org off the pitch. www.balonmundial.it

112 5.2 SCRIMMAGE | Football as political activism 5.2 SCRIMMAGE | Football as political activism 113

TIBET WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

In 2011, the first women-only football training was FOOTBALL V HOMOPHOBIA offered in the Tibetan community in India. The idea was for women to be able to connect with each other Football v Homophobia is a volunteer-based initiative THOKOZANI CLUB SALT ACADEMY and other female athletes around the world, and to use working with football clubs, amongst others UK Premiere the sport as a loudspeaker for their concerns as female League clubs, to create programmes and campaigns. Their The South African club, composed of black lesbians, organizes local trainings and workshops in Battambang, refugees. In the meantime Tibetan women’s football expertise includes stakeholder engagement; advice and was named after Thokozani Qwabe, a young lesbian Cambodia, and uses football to help build positive rela- has developed a programme of professional training in guidance; knowledge of best practice work from around football player and victim of a hate crime in 2007. Since tionships, strengthen confidence, and build leadership health and team building that is second to none. The the world; training for boards, directors, staff, security then, the team has advocated for gay rights and against qualities. The first addressees are young women, victims result is groundbreaking: football is the first sport that and senior and youth players; communication methods lesbophobia in football. The team provides not only of human trafficking. But older people are also included will have a Tibetan women’s national team. Besides that and resources. FvH is an international initiative opposing the joy of the game, but also a safe space and a net of in the collective work and volunteering so that cross-gen- the entire organization is supported by women and for homophobia in football at all levels – from grassroots mutual support for lesbian football players. Thokozani’s erational prejudices and gender stereotypes can be torn women and is inspiring international attention. to professional clubs. We want football to take a clear work also continues off the pitch: in cooperation with down. The social mission also pays off in the realm of stand against homophobia so that everyone can enjoy Les Degommeuses from Paris, the team produced a sports - the women in the ‘Mighty Girls’ program are “TWF aims to facilitate the expansion of the female Tibetan the beautiful game and so that football leads the way in collective portrait of the players’ everyday struggles and among the best players in the country and have won voice and nurture the idea that Tibetan women possess removing discrimination and prejudice based on gender achievements. the last three championships. the talent and capabilities equivalent to men.” identity and sexual orientation. / facebook: Tokozani Football Club www.facebook.com/SALTCambodia (Cassie Childers , Manager Tibet Women’s Football). www.footballvhomophobia.com/ 114 5.3 SCRIMMAGE | Recommendations to football associations on how to support female coaches 5.3 SCRIMMAGE | Recommendations to football associations on how to support female coaches 115

Until then, most of the DISCOVER FOOTBALL declaration’s cedures of decision making, distribution of funds and claims stay valid: amounts of financial support

ARTICLE 3.1: We call upon the international and RECOMMENDATIONS TO FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS in regard to efforts for non-discrimination, regional football confederations (FIFA, AFC, CAF, CON- a) to introduce diversity and inclusiveness policies in 5.3 ON HOW TO SUPPORT FEMALE COACHES CACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, UEFA) the governing bodies b) to include anti-discrimination and diversity inclu- in regard to finance, DISCOVER FOOTBALL siveness in the curriculum for male and female coaches a) to increase the budget for women‘s football by 1) and referees increasing the FAP budget earmarked for women‘s c) to establish the position of an ombudsperson for football from 15% to 20% by 2015 2) and by gradually discrimination and inclusion increasing this percentage every year d) to explicitly name sexual orientation as a category of b) to launch an independent and transparent monitoring In 2013, female football players, coaches and officials pation of women at all levels of football governance” discrimination in the statutes and resolutions mechanism of the funds and their allocations for the from 13 different countries developed a declaration will be included. A quota was also agreed upon for the e) to announce and read out Art. 3 of the FIFA Statutes development of women‘s football by 1) creating the to lobby for more support for women’s football and new FIFA executive institution: “The members of each before every international match position for independent budget control for the funds anti-discrimination. confederation must ensure that they elect at least one female member to the Council.” In total, the Council will given to the national associations 2) consulting NGOs ARTICLE 3.2: We call upon the national football Some progress has been made since then in so far as some be comprised of 37 members, so the minimum female and their shadow reports 3) listing women‘s football associations of the issues are addressed by the FIFA reform process representation is 16% (6 of 37). The share should be independently and not under ‘technical development’ that was initiated after several corruption scandals and raised in the next years to a minimum of 30% of female (e.g. in the FAP budget, annual reports, etc.) 4) auditing in regard to women‘s representation within the association was adopted in February 2016. representatives, so let’s observe carefully if those reform women‘s football separately and independently 5) a) to establish a women‘s football department that works measures will actually improve the overall position of establishing a fundraising and sponsorship section within independently and has budgetary control In the new FIFA statutes, the objective “to promote the women in football. women‘s football departments b) to implement a minimum quota of 20% for women development of women’s football and the full partici- c) to communicate knowledge and information on pro- involved in football in the executive committees and a 116 5.3 SCRIMMAGE | Recommendations to football associations on how to support female coaches 117

transparent procedure for the appointment and election c) to establish the position of an ombudsperson for of the members of the executive committees discrimination and inclusion c) to increase the number of women in management d) to approve licenses only to clubs implementing the positions diversity and inclusiveness policies d) to include female coaches, referees, players and club e) to establish the position of an ombudsperson for members in the decision- making processes in women‘s discrimination and inclusion, appointed or elected in a MILENA BERTOLINI, head coach of ACF Brescia in Italy Besides these claims KARI FASTING, a gender and sport football development by 1) educating female players, transparent procedure suggests the following measures to reform the Italian researcher from Norway, collected female top level coaches coaches, referees and administrative staff, 2) offering Football Federation to create more support for women’s suggestions for getting more women into coaching: promotion prospects within the executive level The demands are directed to FIFA, the regional associa- football: Further development of women only coach education tions, as well as media representatives. Internal reorganization of the Federation (a specific courses | Coaching teams and coaching camps | Develop in regard to finance, section for women’s football does not exist, a ‘Lega’ mentor systems and seminars for top level coaches | a) to transfer all funds allocated to women‘s football We need more supporters campaigning for the imple- that manages women’s football from the vertex to the Use the few female top level coaches as a resource (role directly to the account of the women‘s football department mentation of the demands on their national associations base, but there is too much fragmentation that causes models and mentors) | Networking – Build a female b) to advocate actively for financial and infrastructural and media representatives and advance women’s football waste of energies and resources) | increase of resources network of coaches.9 support for women‘s football at the relevant ministries worldwide. Sign the declaration and spread the word: www. made available (now only 500.000 Euros is the budget, discoverfootball.de/en/home/declaration-discover-football/ a disgrace) | making laws against discrimination (pro- Professor emerita Kari Fasting was the first female pro- in regard to efforts for non-discrimination, fessionalism does not exist at all for women in sport in fessor in sport science in the Nordic countries (1987) a) to introduce diversity and inclusiveness policies in Italy) | getting men’s clubs involved through clear rules and the first rector of the Norwegian School of Sports the governing bodies (the situation is very confused right now, there is no Sciences in Oslo. During the last 30 years, through her b) to include anti-discrimination and diversity inclu- coordination or control) | involvement of boys depart- research, she has been concerned with various aspects siveness in the curriculum for male and female coaches ments with concrete incentives to create girls’ or mixed related to ‘equality and diversity’ in sport, with a focus and referees teams | promotion of the activity of women’s football on sport and exercise in the lives of women. into schools | promotion and spreading of women’s football through the media.

9 Presentation at UEFA/FARE Respect Diversity Conference, Rome September 2014 118 PORTRAIT | Fanoos Basir 119

During Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, my family Nonetheless, when a girl leaves her home to play football, had to leave the country and I was born and grew up in men shout insults in the street. They say that football is one of the refugee camps in Pakistan. I started playing not a girl’s game, that we ought to go home and do the football when I was four years old. In our refugee camp housework. In a male dominated society, we have no we did not have any sports facilities. At school there was choice but to play indoors. Since returning to Afghanistan no football team for girls, so I used to play with the boys. I have also been working as coach and recently I set up Gradually I realized that girls could play too, so I went a women’s football team in Nangarhar city. to my friends’ houses and persuaded their parents to let them play. Girls make up fifty percent of society, so Football for girls in Afghanistan is about something much Fanoos Basir if boys can play football, so can girls. When I was nine, I deeper. My message goes to all those women who are Kabul, Afghanistan, Afghan Child Education decided to set up my own football club at school. Due not leaving their homes, to the daughters, who are held and Care Organization/Asmayee Football Club to our financial problems we could not afford to work back by their parents, the sisters, whose brothers won’t with a professional football coach. In spite of all these let them do sports: Keep fighting until you win. And I will problems, I never gave up on my dreams. Football is in hold on to my dream: A barrier-free football ground for my blood. While living as a refugee during my childhood, women in all provinces of Afghanistan. Keep fighting until you win! I always dreamed of coming home to Afghanistan and playing for our national football team. And finally my dream came true. I have returned to Afghanistan and was selected for the national team in 2009. 120 PORTRAIT | Everlyne Anyango Ochieng 121 Yes, I like football. No, I am not a guy. During my childhood, living with my father, football did by creating a pro-active healthy environment. Through not play a big role because he never allowed me to play. our football program we educate the young girls on But then I met a particular coach who awoke my passion the importance of hygiene, sexual reproductive health for football. He was not feeling well, and he trusted in and issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The additional football me to look after a group of girls and boys. Unfortunately, training enables them to be physically healthy and active. he died and all responsibility went to me. Then, through As coach I act as a parent. I am there to guide and coun- a girl’s program on football for social impact called sel the girls when they have issues affecting them. We Mrembo, meaning ‘beautiful’, I got an opportunity to are helping them to participate in our Kenyan women’s coach the girls in an even better way. It was something provincial league so that they can technically, socially, that I reflected from my own life and how my Dad forbid tactically and physically grow in this world of sport. me continuing playing football. At least I could reflect it Hopefully it gives them an opportunity to show their via coaching the girls. I felt fulfilled and happy. strengths and unveil their hidden beauty even as they are facing violations from their own communities. This Today I’m a football coach in Nairobi at Vijana Amani improves their self-esteem, helps them feel confident Pamoja, a Community Based Organization (CBO) that expressing themselves and enables them to make informed empowers adolescent youths through football. We choices regarding their health and wellbeing as well as coach girls from the age of nine to 21. We are trying to their path in life. integrate social and economic values through football

Everlyne Anyango Ochieng Nairobi, Kenya, Vijana Amani Pamoja 122 PORTRAIT | Mashal Hussain 123 Be the change you want I’m from Karachi, Pakistan. I’m a kinesiologist and a football in developing the Karachi United Football Foundation football; more importantly, I am here for football. I am to see in the world player by heart. I came from off the pitch. I was an injury (KUFF). Though the concept of football for development here to give a voice to the sport for development model rehabilitation specialist. A very close friend of mine ripped is in its infancy in Pakistan, KUFF is proud to celebrate in which I believe - of which I am a product - but also his anterior cruciate ligament while playing football. It was the establishment of the first Under-10 and Under-12 to learn how to do what I love in a more effective way. my job to help him to get back into playing. And doing club-level girl’s squads in the country, and one of the that, we started talking about football bio-mechanically, most successful Women’s Squads in terms of developing As coach I realized the importance of having an authority and he made me watch a lot of football. His family ran female athletes, scholarships and leadership opportunities figure, somebody to guide you. And in being a coach, a small club in Montreal where they coached primarily in Pakistan. We leverage the power of football to create you get to watch people learn. You learn from them in under-7s at that time. I got really involved in helping community uplift, but also rejuvenate the football industry the process of teaching them. And I think that’s one of out at summer camp and wanted to become a coach. I in Pakistan. My work within this larger social development my favorite things about being a coach, to watch the realized that studying it from a scientific point of view umbrella is focused on two aspects: women’s football process happen. And to see players develop. And one helped in coaching because you had a different way of excellence, and working on social development issues of my favorite things is when you teach them a drill and explaining things and it just became very fun to coach. that pertain to women in Pakistan. you see them execute it without you telling them. It’s And in coaching I am learning also things about playing, so fulfilling. and since 2007 I’ve been playing football too. Apart from football skills, women in our program are encouraged and facilitated to realize economic empower- It’s like being in an alternate but parallel universe – I After I graduated I moved back to Pakistan. There, the ment, educational progress, and leadership development experience joy, pain, love, failure, success, and every other situation wasn’t ideal. I found out that the want to play through programs I develop and manage. Our programs human emotion I have come to understand. Through creates the need to create a system. So myself and, at are designed to encourage these girls to pursue things those emotions I also recognize values and lessons, and that time, two other people teamed up with a local club that truly interest them, albeit beyond the pitch. Pres- I extract from them, reflect on them, and have come to that had already existed for about 15 years. But they just ently, my passion has brought me to pursue a Master’s understand myself, as well as the (real) world beyond didn’t have any women’s set-up, or youth set-up until degree in the field of public administration at the Harvard the pitch. It means everything to me – that’s why I play Mashal Hussain we joined them. Consequently I have been involved Kennedy School of Government. I am here because of football. Karachi, Pakistan, Karachi United Football Foundation 124 PORTRAIT | Trinh Hoàng 125

I live in Hue,ế Vietnam and I work as a volunteer and with children, boys and girls, focusing on life skills and HIV coach at the Football for All in Vietnam project (FFAV). I prevention. It has been very difficult for me to become a started playing football when I was nine years old, I was coach because I am not a professional player. This is why, Life is about making first introduced to the sport through Physical Education at least for the time being, I can only teach the children at school and then I joined a girls’ team. When I was 14, who FFAV is working with – they are orphans or affected other people happy we took part in the Norway Cup 2011, the largest inter- by HIV, in general from disadvantaged backgrounds. I am national football tournament for youth. Even though, at still doing the training to get my official license. that time, we were not particularly good football players, our coach taught us to be confident. He trained us, he I am interested in learning more from other coaches, talked with us, he brought us power, self-confidence and and I would also like to help improve the situation in my optimism, and he became my inspiration. country concerning women coaches and women’s foot- ball. Apart from training, I would love to organize events While playing football, I realized that it is important to with football practices or a tournament in connection help girls to learn life skills, which is a very important with workshops on life skills. My favorite exercise is one issue in Vietnam. Football has helped me personally, that [FIFA coach] Monika Staab presented at a workshop and this is why I see its potential – the skills you learn in in Vietnam that I took part in: a simple exercise about football can help you in life generally. This is why, last touching, just feeling the ball, which is very effective. year, I decided to start training to become a coach. I also want to share my experiences. I am working for Football My dream is to become a role model to the children I train. for All in Vietnam. This is a grass-roots project working

Hoàng Thi Phuong, , Trinh Hue,ế Vietnam, Football For All in Vietnam 126 PORTRAIT | Lebogang Maranda Tlhako 127

I was six years old when I started playing football. I had Skills through grassroots football, and we were trained a friend where we used to live and grew up, he saw me to become community coaches, and I also graduated playing with the boys when we were young. He said to become a professional coach educator. I really love we are friends and took me to his club. So we went teaching other coaches to become better coaches and together, and they liked me and I played there. The funny focus on passing along what qualities of a good coach part about it is that as girls we were not allowed to play are. For me, a coach has to be a role model. They have football then. But I guess I looked like one of the boys and to be dedicated to it, have to be organized, but most my coach gave me another cut to look like the boys. So I important they have to be very supportive and motiva- had the chance to play with the guys. They didn’t know tional and give the players space to think for themselves. that I was a girl since I didn’t have breasts yet. I was the I’m also training a senior team in the club Blue Birds, an Become a leader only one. When I was six years old I grew into football academy for girls. Within our organization we mix foot- but I started to play football for the league when I was ball with life skills. I want to motivate my girls not just yourself! 10 years old. I played for many different clubs since we for football, also for their lives. For me, football and life never had any club for girls to play. My parents were very go together. Football has a discipline of its own, and supportive since they knew that I loved football a lot, I want that girls take that home. If they are disciplined and they didn’t want to take that away from me. That’s during playing football, it will help them to focus in life what’s special about it, they gave me full support here. too. It gives you the courage and power of endurance Lebogang Maranda Tlhako to better understand the people and take responsibility Johannesburg, South Africa, Premiere Skills Because of my ankle injury I decided to become a coach for themselves. in 2010. I took coaching courses, and I met grassroots football. With that, I was introduced to facilitation. I got If I can see more girls and women involved, empowered my coaching license also from the football federation and and become leaders - not followers - then I will be the certifications from different organizations. I met Premier happiest woman alive. 128 5.3 SCRIMMAGE | Resources and literature 129

FIFA-guide on health and fitness for female football Football Under Cover: Documentary about the RESOURCES AND players [English] first official women’s football match in the Islamic LITERATURE resources.fifa.com/mm/document/footballdevelop- Republic of Iran. [English, German, Persian, various ment/medical/59/78/19/ffb_gesamt_e_20035.pdf subtitles] LaVoi, Nicole M. (ed.). Women in Sports Coaching. London: Routledge 2016 [English] GENERAL INFORMATION ON WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

THE COACHES AND INITIATIVES Short video on first female coach of a professional PRESENTED IN THIS MANUAL IN men’s team in France’s 2nd division. ACTION! www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qYwEaUTHPo TV Interview with Cassie Childers on Tibetan Study on women’s football in UEFA 2014-2015: TRAINING PRACTICE Women’s Football. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY- www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/Women/ Platform with information and coaching aid for Byz9srlX0 General/02/03/27/84/2032784_DOWNLOAD.pdf women’s football coaches [English] www.shekicks. The movie featuring Seyni’s project on football in net/home the neighbourhoods was put on youtube [mainly WOMEN’S FOOTBALL BLOGS Databases of diverse football drills [English] French with German translation] www.coachingsoccer101.com/drills.htm www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4A4n1c47To Blog by Olga Trujillo from Mexico on Female Ath- www.soccerxpert.com/drills.aspx A documentary featuring the DISCOVER FOOTBALL letes [Spanish] diosasolimpicas.com/ www.professionalsoccercoaching.com/ international football festival 2013! Amazing spirit! Blog by Adrienn Csepelyi from Hungary on Wom- [Mainly English, English subs] Female Coaching network, all sports [English] vimeo.com/97233457 en’s Football [Hungarian] koteny.blog.nepsport.hu/ http://femalecoachingnetwork.com/ Foot For Love. Short video about Thokozani FC visit- Blog by the DISCOVER FOOTBALL network [English] ing Les Dégommeuses in Paris [English and French, Short videos of girls presenting and explaining their https://claimthepitch.org/ favorite football skill [German] French subtitles] vimeo.com/67076668 www.spielaufbau.com/mein-lieblingstrick/ Follow Marlene Assmann’s Vimeo account for sto- GOAL Program: Combining sport and life skills rytelling videos of different participants and female footballing pioneers! sessions [English] goalprogramme.org/ vimeo.com/72735926 130 131 132

“Without football I don’t know what I would have become”

(Seyni Ndir Seck)

Contact: www.discoverfootball.de [email protected]